LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


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HISTOR 


NOV  17  1941  ^ 


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OF 


A  FT  I  ST 


HURCHES 


o<IVIARYLAIMD>o 


CONNECTED    WITH    THE 


MARYLAND  BAPTIST  UNION  ASSOCIATION. 


J$altimote: 


PRINTED    AND    PUBLISHED   BY   J.   F.    W  t  ISH  AMPEL,  JR. 
:i  fiO  W.  Bat.timore  Strekt. 

i88v 


REV.  GEORGE  F.  ADAMS,  D.  D. 


Engrraved  frr  this  work  from  a  photograph  taken  in  1850.. 


CONTENTS. 


Introduction 7 

Early  History !> 

Baltimore  Baptist  Association 11 

Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association 15 

1742.  Sater's  Baptist  Church Compiled  by  Rev.  Du.  G.  F.Adams.  23 

1785.  First  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore G.  F.  Adam^.  31 

1791.  Taneytown  Baptist  Church G.  F.  Adams.  51 

1793.  Nanjemoy  Baptist  Church G.  F.  Adams.  52 

1797.  Second   Baptist  Ciiurcii,  Baltimore G.  F.  Adams.  55 

1806.  Gunpowder  Baptist  Church G.F.Adams.  67 

1821.  Rockville  Baptist  Church, from  record  supplied  by  Rev.  S.  R.  White.  69 

1832.  Good  Hope  Baptist  Church 7-4 

1835.  High  Street  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore G.  F.  Adams.  75 

1835.  Pikesville  Baptist  Church G.  F.  .Adams.  84 

1886.  First  Colored  Baptist  Church  (jf  Baltimore 87 

1842.  Hereford  Baptist  Church 90 

1843.  Forest  Baptist  Church 9S 

1845.  Seventh  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore Lewis  W.  Wilhelm.  97 

1846.  Huntingdon  Baptist  Church,  Waverly 113 

1847.  Cumberland  Baptist  Church 117 

1847.  Pitts  Creek  Baptist  Church 121 

1850.  Eckhart  Baptist  Church Jesse  J.  Arnold.  123 

1850.  Vienna  Baptist  Church 125 

1852.  Union  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 129 

]  854.  Pocomoke  City  Baptist  Church 134 

1854.  Franklin  Square  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore    136 

1855.  Lee  Street  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore Rev.  John  Pollard,  D.  D.  143 

1856.  Rehoboth  Baptist  Church Rev.  S.  C.  Boston.  150 

1859.  Salisbury  Baptist  Church 153 

1860.  Germautown  Baptist  Church G.  F.  Adams.  154 

1F60.  Poolesville  Baptist  Church G.  F.  Adams.  155 

1865.  First  German  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 1,'56 

lb68.  Mount  Hope  Baptist  Church 159 

1869.  Bladensburg  Baptist  Church 159 

1871.  Forest  Hall  Baptist  Church 160 

1871.  Eutaw  Place  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore G.  F.  Adams.  163 

1871.  Frostburg  Baptist  Church. .  j 171 

1872.  Mount  Ellen  Baptist  Church,  Salisbury   172 

1872.  Longwood  Baptist  Church 173 

1873  Leadenhall  Street  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 175 

1874.  Hampden  Baptist  Church,  Woodberr)'^ 177 

1874.  Grace  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore  Daniel  F.  Emich.  179 

1874.  Macedonia  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 184 

1875.  First  Colored  Baptist  Church  of  Frederick 185 

1875.  East  New  Market  (formerly  Cabin  Creek)  Baptist  Cluirch 186 


4  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

1875.     Ebenezer  Baptist  Church,  Cumberland 187 

1878.    Calvary  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 188 

1878.  First  Colored  Baptist  Church,  Rockvilie 189 

1879.  First  Colored  Baptist  Churcli,  Annapolis 189 

1880.  Fuller  Memorial  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore   190 

1880.     Zion  Baptist  Church 193 

1880.  Mount  Zion  Baptist  Church 193 

1881.  Oak  Grove  Baptist  Church 193 

1881.     Perkins'  Square  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 194 

1881.  Cambridge  Baptist  Church 195 

1883.  Immanuel  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore Chas.  T.  Crane.  196 

1888.     Fulton  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore F.  S.  Biggs.  198 

1882.  Hagerstown  Baptist  Church 201 

1884.  Riverside  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore 202 

1885.  Patterson  Ave.  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore. .  Rkv.  W.  M.  Alexander.  203 

Memoranda 204 

Annual  Record  of  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association,  1886—1884. .  208 

APPENDIX. 

An  Epoch  in  Maryland  Baptist  History 211 

William  Crane 216 

George  F.  Adams 217 

In  Memoriam 218 


WILLIAM  CRANE. 


INTRODUCTION. 


FOR  twenty -five  3'-ears  past,  a  Committee  has  been  appointed  anunallj'  bj'  tlie 
Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association,  to  prepare  and  publisli  a  history  of 
tlie  Cliurclies  connected  with  this  body.  For  various  reasons  the  worli 
failed  of  accomplishment.  It  was  only  by  repeated  appeals  from  the  Committee 
and  the  personal  attention  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  George  F.  Adams,  (to  whom 
the  task  was  entrusted  during  his  employ  as  Missionary  of  the  Association,)  that 
any  progress  was  made  toward  the  compilation  of  the  necessary  materials.  At 
his  decease,  in  April,  1877,  he  left  a  number  of  sketches  of  the  Churches,  which 
have  been  preserved  to  this  date.  A  few  others  had  been  obtained  from  various 
sources.  But  the  completion  and  publication  of  the  histories  seemed  to  be  still 
distant,  when  the  following  report  was  made  to  the  Association  in  October,  1888 : 

"REPORT  ON  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCHES. 
"Your  Committee  believe  that  a  short,  comprehensive,  readable  History  ot  our 
Churches  would  result  in  good.  That  we  may  have  such  a  History,  we  recommend 
that  all  requisite  manuscripts  in  the  possession  of  this  Association  be  turned  over  to  our 
Bro.  J.  F.  Weishampel.  Jr.,  with  the  request  that  he  canvass  the  Churches,  and  if 
sufficient  subscribers  can  be  obtained  to  justify  him  in  the  work,  then  he  may  complete 
the  manuscripts  and  publish  said  History  at  the  earliest  possible  day.  If  after  a  canvass 
of  the  Churches  he  finds  the  work  cannot  be  done  without  incurring  loss  to  himself,  then 
he  shall  report  to  the  Board,  returning  the  manuscripts,  and  the  Board  shall  take  such 
action  as  they  may  deem  necessary. 

W.  JUDSON  BROWN, 
GEO.  W.    NORRIS, 
FRANKLIN  WILSON, 
J.   C.  ALLEN, 
F.    W.    KING, 
E     B.    MORHIS." 

This  Report  was  adopted  and  referred  to  a  new  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev. 
H.  M.  Wharton,  Rev.  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson  and  the  writer. 

The  Churches  were  then  canvassed  and,  after  several  months  of  etfort,  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  subscribers  was  obtained  to  encourage  the  publication,  as  pro- 
posed. The  manuscripts  were  then  turned  over  to  the  undersigned,  in  accordance 
with  the  recommendation  of  the  Association. 

These  manuscripts  were  in  some  cases  too  lengthy  to  be  embodied  in  a  "short, 
comprehensive,  readable  history,"  and  all  of  them  were  so  incomplete  as  to  require 
considerable  additional  writing.  Many  of  the  Churches  were  not  reported  at  all, 
and  several  which  had  been  described  had  become  extinct.  The  sketches  of  Dr. 
Adams  give  evidence  of  painstaking,  and  are  creditable  to  his  industry,  but  he 
had  prepared  them  in  view  of  a  much  more  voluminous  work.  It  became  neces- 
sary therefore  to  condense  them,  as  well  as  to  add  notes  of  the  last  eight  years' 
history. 

In  view  of  these  difficulties,  the  Publisher  desires  to  state  that  he  has  made  the 
best  use  of  the  materials  that  his  experience  and  judgment  have  suggested — 
extracting  from  them  all  the  information  necessary  to  a  "comprehensive"  history, 
and  adding  all  the  important  facts  that  were  obtainable  after  a  diligent  search, 
with  the  able  assistance  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  and  others.  He  has  also  prepared 
new   sketches   of  the  Churches  which  had  not  yet  been  described,  and  of  other 


8  Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy. 

matters  worthy  of  record,  including  preliminary  notices  of  the  Baltimore  and 
the  Maryland  Union  Associations.  While  brevity  has  been  observed  as  the  rule 
of  the  compilation,  nothing  of  value  has  been  omitted;  but  only  those  Churches 
now  connected  with  the  Maryland  Union  Association  are  noticed  particularly. 

To  insure  accuracy,  all  the  proof-sheets  have  been  submitted  to  well-informed 
members  of  the  Churches  for  their  approval.  This  accounts  for  much  of  the 
delay  in  passing  the  forms  through  the  press. 

Due  credit  is  given  in  the  Index  or  the  text,  to  Dn.  Adams  and  others,  whose 
manuscripts  have  been  used. 

Though  lacking  in  literary  excellence,  from  the  necessity  of  enforced  brevity, 
the  variety  and  scantiness  of  materials,  and  many  interruptions  and  emendments 
during  its  preparation,  this  compilation  may  be  relied  upon  as  generally  accurate, 
and  it  will  doubtless  be  valued  as  a  permanent  treasury  of  reference. 

The  volume  is  now  committed  to  the  brotherhood  in  the  hope  that,  while  ob- 
serving its  deficiencies,  they  may  hereafter  take  greater  pains  to  preserve  a  record 
of  their  Church  work  for  the  historian  of  the  future.  But,  beyond  this  hope,  it  is 
devoutly  prayed  that  these  histories  may  encourage  them  to  bolder  advances, to 
greater  consecration,  to  increased  sacrifices,  and  to  a  more  united  effort  in  the 
faithful  and  persistent  spread  of  a  pure  gospel. 

J.  F.  WEISHAMPEL,  JR. 
Baltimore,  July  1,  1885. 


*  * 
* 


We  are  indebted  to  Messrs.  L.  H.  Everts  &  Bro.,  Philadelphia,  publishers  of 
Dr.  Cathcart's  valuable  Baptist  Encyclopedia,  for  electrotypes  of  the  following 
illustrations  :  The  Eutaw  Place  Church,  and  the  portraits  of  Rev.  Dr.  J  W.  M. 
Williams,  Rev.  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  T.  Brantly  and  Mr.  William 
Crane. 


REV.  FRANKLIN  WILSON,  D.  D, 


HISTORY  OF  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 
IN  MARYLAND. 


EARLY  HISTORY. 

T7IEST  things  are  interesting.  The  "first  step"  is  proverbial.  The 
first  stone  laid  in  a  fonndation  may  aid  in  supporting  a  beautiful 
palace  or  a  lofty  monument.  In  this  day  of  centenary  celebrations, 
every  one  is  looking  backward  to  the  first  beginnings  of  the  great  en- 
terprises which  now  occupy  public  attention.  Among  the  movements 
most  interesting  to  the  lovers  of  religious  progress  is  that  Of  the  Baptist 
Denomination  in  the  State  of  Maryland.  It  will  surprise  some  to 
learn  that  we  also  have  a  centenary  to  observe,  and  that  1884  closed  a 
century  since  the  organization  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Baltimore, 
with  which  began  here  the  regular  growth  of  our  Denomination.  One 
hundred  years! — and  what  has  been  the  rate  of  our  progress?  These 
pages  will  show.  The  only  consolation  we  may  derive  from  the  answer 
herein  given  is.  Truth  is  ever  of  slower  growth  than  Error,  and  also 
that  the  future  promises  more  abundant  success  than  the  past. 

We  must,  however,  look  about  fifty  years  further  back,  to  notice  the 
partial  dawning  of  Baptist  sentiment  in  this  State.  It  is  true  that  in 
that  age  the  Churches  were  not  characterized  by  missionary  aggressive- 
ness, but  ii  must  be  remembered  that  the  evangelical  spirit  now  ani- 
mating our  Denomination  has  been  awakened  to  activity  within  the  pres- 
ent century  and  has  been  the  growth,  strictly  speaking,  of  only  the  last 
seventy  years.  But  in  other  respects,  that  of  civil  and  religious  liberty, 
of  Church  ordinances  and  a  pure  gospel,  the  Churches  were  ever  zeal- 
ous and  ardent,  not  only  in  the  North,  in  Virginia  and  the  South,  but 
in  Maryland. 

In  1872,  the  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association  requested  Rev. 
Joseph  H.  Jones  (since  deceased)  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  old  "Bal- 
timore Baptist  Association,"  which  was  published  in  a  small  pamphlet, 
and  is  now  out  of  print.  It  is  from  this  work  that  we  have  extracted 
the  facts  recorded  in  this  chapter,  and  also  prepared  the  accompanying 
Table  of  Statistics. 


lo  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  first  Baptist  Church  of  which  we  have  any  account  in  this  State 
was  organized  by  members  of  "General  Baptist"  Churches,  from  Eng- 
land. A  Mr,  Sater,  who  had  settled  at  Chestnut  Ridge,  in  1709,  with 
other  persons  of  similar  views,  built  a  meeting-house  there,  and  in 
1742,  constituted  a  Baptist  Church,  which  numbered  at  the  time  fifty- 
seven  members. 

In  1754,  some  fourteen  members  who  differed  with  their  brethren 
on  some  points  of  the  doctrine  of  Election,  withdrew  from  the  Chestnut 
Ridge  "General  Baptist"  Church,  and  organized  a  "Particular  Baptist" 
Church  at  Winter's  Run,  Harford  County.  Benjamin  Griffith  and 
Peter  P.  Vanhorn  are  specified  as  assisting  in  the  constitution  of  the 
new  Church  and  its  admission  into  the  "Philadelphia  Association." — 
In  1756,  the  body  became  known  as  "Harford  Baptist  Church,"  and 
called  Rev.  John  Davis  to  its  pastorate.  This  excellent  man  was 
then  thirty-five  years  old  and  remained  pastor  for  fifty-three  years, 
leaving  behind  him  a  long  record  of  good  work.  Through  his  zeal,  Har- 
ford church  became  the  progenitor  of  the  Maryland  Baptist  Associa- 
tions. In  1781,  the  "General  Baptist  Church"  at  Chestnut  Ridge 
had  become  extinct,  and  in  its  place  in  the  same  building,  another 
Church  had  been  organized  by  Bro.  Davis  and  his  brethren. 

They  also  organized  missions  at  Patapsco  and  Westminster,  with 
a  total  membership  of  188.  Subsequently,  these  faithful  workers  es- 
tablished Churches  at  Taneytown  and  Gunpowder,  and  in  1785,  eleven 
members  of  Harford  Church  took  letters  and  organized  the  '■'■Cliurcli 
of  Baltimore,"  with  Elder  Lewis  Richards  as  their  pastor.  They  built 
a  meeting  house  on  the  corner  of  Front  and  Fayette  streets,  on  the 
present  site  of  the  shot  tower.  This  Church  also  joined  the  Philadel- 
phia Association.  Churches  had  also  been  constituted  at  Frederick 
City,  Hammond's  Branch,  Seneca,  Montgomery  Co.,  and  at  Hunting- 
ton, Pa.  This  brings  us  to  1793.  In  that  year  six  of  these  Churches 
met  by  delegates  in  Frederick  and  organized  a  new  Association,  which 
they  styled  at  first,  the  Baptist  Association  of  the  Western  Shore  of 
Maryland,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  Salisbury  (Eastern  Shore)  Associa- 
tion, but  in  1794,  upon  the  adoption  of  a  Constitution,  it  assumed  the 
title  of  "Baltimore  Baptist  Association." 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 1 


BALTIMORE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 

The  names  of  the  Churches  and  delegates  originating  this  body  were 
as  follows: — Harford,  Alex.  Lemon,  John  Prichard,  Abs.  Butler,  J. 
Davis;  representing  106  members.  Frederick  Town",  Thos.  Beatty, 
Joseph  Coleman,  Elijah  Beatty,  Absalom  Baiubridge;  36  members. 
Hammond's  Branch,  Brice  Gassoway,  James  Warfield,  Ohas,  Eogers  ;. 
29  members.  Tanettown,  Thos.  Jones,  Benj.  Cornel,  David  Walter; 
27  members.  Seneca,  Lawrence  Alnutt,  Howard  Griffith,  Nich.  Dor- 
sey;  52  members.  Huntington,  Pa.  Samuel  Lane;  16  members. — 
Total,  226  members. 

As  already  stated,  we  have  compiled  a  Table  from  Bro.  Jones'  pam- 
phlet, in  which  is  given  a  record  of  the  meetings  of  this  Association 
for  forty-two  years,  and  we  shall  therefore  mention  in  this  sketch  only 
such  occasional  items  of  general  interest  as  maybe  necessary  to  indicate 
the  character  of  its  work. 

Li  1795,  the  First  Church  of  Baltimore  joined  the  Association,  with 
65  members,  "being  orthodox  in  principles  and  practices."  The  ven- 
erable John  Davis  wrote  the  "Circular  Letter"  oa  "Strong  and  Weak 
Faith."  The  ministry  were  urged  to  missionary  efforts  throughout  the 
State  and  were  appointed  to  preach  in  destitute  places. 

In  1795,  a  Church  at  Fell's  Point  was  organized  by  Rev.  John 
Healy,  but  being  considered  lax  in  doctrine,  like  some  of  the  English 
Churches,  their  application  for  admission  into  the  Association  was  de- 
nied. This  caused  a  contention.  Pamphlets  were  written  by  John 
Stow,  Wm.  0.  LDck  aud  otliers  of  the  Fell's  Point  Church.  In  1807, 
this  Church,  now  called  "Second  Baptist  Church,"  applied  again  for 
admission,  and  "being  found  in  the  same  practices  and  belief  as  held 
by  this  body,  were  unanimously  received."  The  Association  now  con- 
sisted of  sixteen  Churches,  as  follows:  Harford,  First  Baltimore,  Fred- 
erick, Taneytown,  Tuscarora,  Old  Seneca,  Huntington,  Hammond's 
Branch,  Sideling  Hill,  Pleasant  Valley,  Washington  City,  Gunpowder, 
Sater's,  Upper  Seneca,  Conalaway  and  Second  Baltimore.  The  minis- 
ters were:  John  Davis,  Lewis  Richards,  Absalom  Butler,  William  Par- 
kinson, William  Gilmore,  William  Clingham,  John  Welch,  Thomas 
Runyan,  John  Cook,  Samuel  Lane,  Benjamin  Green,  0.  B.  Brown, 
George  Grice,  Edward  Choate,  John  Healy — fifteen,  and  the  member- 
ship 748. 

In  1808,  an  address  was  prepared  by  order  of  the  Association,  and 
presented  to  President  Thomas  Jefferson,  to  which  he  replied.  In 
1809.  the  Association  met  with  the  First  Church  of  Baltimore.     This 


I  2  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

year  Elder  Jolm  Davis  died,  aged  87  years.  In  1815,  Spencer  H. 
Cone's  name  first  appears  on  the  minntes  as  clerk.  This  year  the  Brit- 
ish burned  the  National  Capitol  and  were  defeated  at  Baltimore.  Our 
ministers  preached  in  Anne  Arundel,  Prince  George,  St.  Mary's, 
Baltimore  and  Montgomery  counties,  also  at  Hagerstown,  thus  show- 
ing the  early  missionary  character  of  their  practices.  In  1818,  resolu- 
tions were  passed  favoring  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  In 
1819,  the  Circular  Letter  concluded  with  the  following  forcible  lan- 
guage on  Foreign  Missions: 

"Is  there  no  honor,  dear  brethren,  in  being  zealously  engaged  in  this 
great  and  glorious  cause?  Shall  our  sympathies  for  the  perishing 
heathen,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  be  suffered  to  evaporate  in  our  of- 
fering up  petitions  on  their  behalf?  What  evidence  do  we  exhibit, 
either  to  ourselves  or  to  others,  of  the  sincerity  of  our  prayers,  while 
our  active  exertions,  while  our  contributions  do  not  correspond  with 
our  words  ?  Say  not  because  the  work  is  great  and  our  individual 
means  circumscribed,  that  the  little  which  we  can  do  will  be  of  no 
avail :  God  hears  the  heggar'' s iirayer  andrtccepts  the  wido/c'' smite.  Who 
can  contemplate  the  signs  of  the  times,  the  interesting  and  amazing  ex- 
tent and  variety  of  means  that  are  now  in  successful  operation  in  various 
parts  of  the  world,  for  the  accomplishment  of  God's  gracious  promises 
concerning  his  Cliurch,  without  wonder,  love,  and  praise  ?  To  what, 
short  of  the  Divine  agency,  can  we  attribute  the  general  missionary 
spirit  which  pervades  Christians  in  both  hemispheres.  To  what  other 
cause  can  we  ascribe  the  formation  of  such  extensive  and  opulent  soci- 
eties, as  now  exist  throughout  the  civilized  world,  for  the  trans- 
lation, printing  and  gratuitous  distribution  of  the  word  of  life  among 
people  of  every  language  and  in  every  clime  ?  Truly  we  may  say,  this 
is  the  seed  time.  We  see  the  showers  of  divine  influence  descending 
in  various  directions,  and  confidently  hope  that  the  glorious,  the  abun- 
dant harvest  will  speedily  follow.  In  addition  to  these  might  be  men- 
tioned the  numerous  and  important  Associations  which  are  spreading 
over  countries  professing  Christianity  with  such  astonishing  rapidity, 
for  the  communication  of  moral  and  religious  instruction,  through  the 
medium  of  Sabbath  schools.  The  benefits  already  derived  to  thousands 
from  these  institutions,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  who  would  other- 
wise have  been  abandoned  to  ignorance  and  vice,  is  beyond  the  power 
of  the  human  mind  to  calculate." 

In  1821,  Old  Seneca  and  Hammond's  Branch  Churches,  under  charge 
of  Rev.  Plumraer  Waters,  having  become  opposed  to  the  plan  of  con- 
ducting Missionary  Societies,  withdrew  from  the  body.  Rev.  Luther 
Rice,  the  well  known  advocate  for  missions  and  education,  was  present, 
and  was  invited  to  a  seat. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 3 

In  1822,  the  Second  Church  withdrew.  On  motion  of  Bartholomew 
T.  Welch,  the  First  Church  was  exduded  from  fellowship,  on  account 
of  "deviation  from  the  faith."  In  1826,  the  Second  and  First  Churches 
seem  to  have  corrected  their  differences  and  are  reported  in  attendance. 
Elder  Grice,  pastor  of  Sater's,  died.  In  1827,  the  "Central  Baptist 
Church"  of  Washington  was  received,  Elder  George  F.  Adams  being 
one  of  its  delegates.  In  1828,  the  Black  Rock  Church  was  received. 
Ministers  present  in  1829:  F.  Moore,  Thos.  Leaman,  John  Healy,  Ed- 
ward Choate,  R.  H.  Neale,  C.  Polkinhorn,  Edmond  J.  Reis,  R.  B.  Sem- 
ple,  George  F.  Adams,  Eli  Scott,  T.  Barton,  0.  B.  Brown,  W.  Wolford, 
Frey,  Lynd  and  Marders.  The  Memoirs  of  Mrs.  Judson  were  recom- 
mended. 1832,  Death  of  Elder  Lewis  Richards.  1835.  The  Religious 
Herald  and  Christian  Index  having  published  a  statement  that  many 
of  the  ministers  of  this  Association  did  not  preach  to  the  unconverted, 
a  lengthy  denial  was  entered  upon  the  minutes,  and  published. 

In  1836,  the  Association  met  at  Black  Rock,  but  from  some  cause  it 
was  thinly  attended,  only  twenty-eight  persons  being  present,  and  seven 
of  them  were  not  properly  authorized  delegates.  The  person  elected 
moderator  was  not  a  member  of  the  body.  The  anti-missionary 
members  immediately  forced  the  adoption  of  the  followiug  Resolution  : 

"Whereas,  a  number  of  Churches  of  this  Association  have  departed 
from  the  practice  of  the  same,  by  following  cunningly  devised  fables, 
uniting  with  and  encouraging  others  to  unite  in  worldly  societies,  to 
the  great  grief  of  other  Churches  of  this  body,  there  cannot  be  any 
fellowship  between  principles  so  essentially  different.  Therefore,  Re- 
solved, That  this  Association  cannot  hold  fellowship  with  such 
Churches,  and  all  that  have  done  so  be  dropped  from  our  minutes." 

Upon  this,  the  representatives  of  the  following  seven  Churches  with- 
drew :  Rockville,  Pleasant  Valley,  Linganore,  Second  Baltimore,  Mt. 
Zion  and  Frederick.  Gunpowder  was  subsequently  added.  These 
delegations  met  in  the  Second  Church,  Baltimore,  next  day,  to  organ- 
ize another  Association.  They  adopted  the  same  name,  and  held  to- 
gether for  several  years,  but  were  too  weak  to  last  long.  The  Second 
Bait.,  Gunpowder  and  Rockville  Churches  joined  the  Maryland  Union, 
which  was  organized  about  the  same  time.  The  original  Baltimore 
Association  has  maintained  an  organization  up  to  the  present  time,  but 
most  of  its  Churches  have  become  extinct  or  hold  a  small  and  inactive 
membership. 

It  is  shown  conclusively  in  the  minutes  of  this  Association  that  the 
body  as  a  whole  from  1793  to  1835  was  favorable  to  missionary  work ; 
but  the  low  state  of  religion  at  the  latter  date  affected  the  Churches  so 
much  as  to  decrease  their  interest  in  the  cause.  Erroneous  views  were 
inculcated  by  prejudiced  preachers,  disputes  were  held  upon  the  means 


H 


Maryland  Baptist  History. 


used  to  propagate  the  gospel,  and  in  the  manner  above  indicated  a 
schism  was  made  among  the  Churches.  In  this  emergency,  the  more 
influential  portion  of  the  Baptists  of  Maryland  preserved  their  loyalty 
to  Missions;  they  reflected  deeply  upon  their  duty  to  God  and  the 
world,  and  resolved  to  continue  their  work  more  actively.  Their  wise 
plan  was  ably  set  forth  in  their  ])ublished  documents,  and  has  been 
nobly  vindicated  in  the  labors  of  the  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Asso- 
ciation. 

EEOOED  OF  THE  BALTIMOEE  BAPTIST  ASSOCIATION. 


Place. 


1^93 

1794 
1795 
1796 
1797 
1798 
1799 
1802 
1803 
4804 
1806 
1807 
1608, 
1809 
1810 
1811' 
1812, 
1813, 
1814| 
1815 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1821' 
I822i 
18231 
1824' 
1825 
1820' 
1827: 
1828' 
1829: 
1880' 
1831' 
1832! 
1833' 
1834; 
18351 
1836 


Frederick A.  Bainbridge 

Ha  mmond's  Branch . . .  John  Davis. 

Baltimore Wm.  Ciingham. 

Taney  town Lewis  Richards . 

Seneca,  Montg.  Co 

Tuscarora  Valley J.  Moore. 

Reisterstown John  Davis. 

Seneca Lewis  Richards. 

Winter's  Run Lewis  Richards. 

Sideling  Hill,  Pa 

Conoloway,Bed.Co.,Pa 
Pleasant  Valley,  Md.. 

Washington,  D.  C 

Baltimore,  First  Ch. . . 

Winter's  Run 

Gunpowder,  Md George  Grice. 

Sater's,  Baltimore  Co..  John  Healy. 
Baltimore,  Second  Ch.  Lewis  Richards. 
Seneca,  (Upper.) [John  Healy 


MODEUATOR. 


Clerk. 


Thos.  Beatty 

A.  Bainbridge. .  , 
Chas.  P.  Polk... 
A.  Bainbridge. . . 


Wm  Parkinson. 
Wm.  Parlcinson. 
Wm.  Parkinson. 
Wm.  Parkinson. 


Thos.  Runyan Wm.  Gilmore. 

Lewis  Richards John  Welch.. . 

O.  B.  Brown  |John  Welch.. . 

Lewis  Richards John  Welch. 


o         % 

16           226 
6|          251 

71 

7i 

16, 


J.  Welch 

B.  'W  Welch.. 
Wm.  Wilson. 
S.  H.  Cone. . . 
3.  H.  Cone. . . 


Old  Seneca. John  Healy. 

Pleasant  Valley,  Md..  John  Healy. 

Sideling  Hill,  Pa 

Patapsco,  Md 

Alexandria,  D.  C 

Baltimore,  First  Ch . . . 
Warren  M.H.  Bait.  Co. 
Pleasant  Valley,  Md. . 

Taneytown 

Baltimore,Ebenezer  Ch 

Bethel  Ch.,  Montg.  Co. j John  Healy. 

Harlbrd,  Md 

Pleasant  Valley,  Md 

Black  Rock 

Washington,  D.  C  . 
Upper  Seneca,  Md. . 

Frederick,  Md John  Healy Jos.  H.  Jones. 

Warren,  Bait.  Co.,  Md'John  Healy IJos.  H.  Jones. . 

Pleasant  Valley, Md..{ I 

Black  Rock,  Md I  John  Healy jJos.  H.  Jones. . 

Baltimore,EbenezerChlWm.  Wilson 'Jos.  H.Jones. . 

Black  Rock,  Md |[Division.]  j[See  page  13]. 


12! 
12, 
12 
16 


141 

181 


O.  B.  Brown. 
John  Healy. . 
Edw.  Choate. 
Edw.  Choate 

Francis  Moore T.  Barton   

Thos.  Barton E.  J.  Heis 

John  Healy 'E.  J.  Reis 

.  E.  J.  Reis 

J.  P.  Peckworth Joseph  H.  Jones. 

Edw.  Choate Joseph  H.  Jones. 

John  Healy C.  Polkinhorn.. . 

John  Healy JC.  Polkinhorn.. . 

Jos.  H.  Jones S.  C.  Ustick 


18 

17 

18! 


18; 


345 
367 

568 
566 


748 


1016 
'1238 


1362 
1026 


620 


831 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 5 

MARYLAND 
BAPTIST  UNION  ASSOCIATION. 


The  origin  of  this  body  is  briefly  announced  in  the  minutes  of  its 
first  meeting,  as  follows  : 

"Agreeable  to  invitations  previously  given,  a  meeting  of  brethren  of 
the  Baptist  Denomination  was  held  in  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Bal- 
timore, Thursday,  October  27, 1836,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an 
Association,  to  combine  what  energies  might  be  found  in  the  Churches, 
disposed  to  be  employed  in  the  labor  of  spreading  the  Gospel  in  the 
•State  of  Maryland,  including  that  part  of  the  District  of  Columbia 
north  of  the  Potomac,  and  otherwise  to  encourage  and  increase  by  mu- 
tual action,  the  spirit  of  primitive  piety." 

Its  statement  of  foundation  principle  is  given  thus: 

"The  Christian  Church  is  represented  in  Scripture  as  occupying  a 
■conspicuous  place  in  human  society.  The  'light  of  the  world,'  'the 
salt  of  the  earth,'  are  the  significant  figures  which  her  great  Founder 
himself  has  employed  to  describe  her  means  of  usefulness  and  her  cor- 
responding responsibility.  His  object  in  raising  his  followers  to  this 
dignity  and  elevation  is  obvious.  They  are  designed  to  be  the  medium 
through  which  he  see4vs  to  convey  the  most  substantial  benefits  to  man- 
kind, by  accomplishing  the  merciful  purposes  of  his  grace,  in  the  con- 
version of  the  world.  Such  a  relation  involves,  of  course,  duties  of  the 
most  important  nature,  and  demands  of  us  a  zeal  commensurate  with 
the  magnitude  of  the  object  to  be  secured.  Impressed  with  these  con- 
siderations, We,  the  representatives  of  Baptist  Churches  in  Maryland, 
having  met  for  the  purpose  of  combining  our  influence  and  exertions 
to  spread  the  Gospel  in  the  destitute  regions  of  our  State,  do  now  agree 
to  organize  ourselves  into  a  missionary  body,  to  be  governed  by  the  fol- 
lowing Constitution."  Here  follows  substantially  the  Constitution  now 
governing  the  Association. 

There  were  sixteen  persons  present  as  delegates,  namely  :  From  the 
First  Baptist  Church,  Baltimore :  lie  v.  Stephen  P.  Hill,  Peter  Levering, 
James  Wilson,  James  Carnighan,  John  C.  Kichards,  Eben.  Hubball, 
Thomas  Maybury.  From  Calvert  St.  Church,  Baltimore  :  Rev.  Geo. 
F.  Adams.  From  Pikesville  Church  :  Eev.  Joseph  Mettam,  John  Ports, 
John  Cox.  From  Gunpowder  Church  :  Rev.  Thos.  Leaman,  Zach. 
Alban.     From  Navy  Yard   Church,  Washington  :    R.   P.   Anderson. 


1 6  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

From  Taiieytown  Church:  Jacob  Correlh  William  Crane,  of  Calvert 
St.  Church,  A.  Kothwell,  of  Navy  Yard  Church,  and  three  other  breth- 
ren of  country  Churches  were  named  as  delegates,  but  were  not  present. 
Rev.  John  Healy  of  the  Second  Church,  Baltimore,  Kev.  W.  T. 
Bran tly,  (the  elder,)  and  Rev,  Mr,  Hewson,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Rev. 
Archibald  Maclay  of  New  York  Avere  })resent,  by  recpiest.  Ik'o.  James 
Wilson  was  elected  Moderator  and  Stephen  P.  Hill  Secretary,  Geo.  F, 
Adams,  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  William  Crane,  Treasurer.  The 
Circular  Letter  was  written  by  Stephen  P.  Hill.  It  is  an  admirable 
paper,  covering  the  aims  and  purposes  of  the  new  Association,  explicit 
in  principle,  illustrating  missionary  duty  by  precept  and  example,  and 
sounding  a  clarion  note  for  progress. 

One  of  the  resolutions  passed  reads  :  "Resolved,  that  this  Association 
express  its  decided  approbation  of  the  efforts  made  by  the  Christian 
community  to  elevate  the  moral  condition  of  our  species,  by  means  of 
Bible,  Missionary,  Education,  Sabbath  School,  Tract,  Temperance  and 
other  benevolent  institutions."  A  resolution  was  passed  approving  the 
new  translations  of  the  Bible,  The  first  Executive  Board  was  ap- 
pointed to  consist  of  the  officers  above-named  and  the  following  breth- 
ren :  Thomas  Leaman,  Joseph  Mettam,  Peter  Levering,  James  Carnig- 
han,  Thos.  Maybury,  R.  P.  Anderson,  Jacob  Correll. 

The  Record  appended  to  this  volume  exhibits  a  statistical  statement 
of  the  progress  of  the  Association,  including  its  officers,  places  of  meet- 
ing, membership  of  Churches,  &c.  We  shall  therefore  simply  notice 
here,  a  few  items  of  interest  occurring  from  time  to  time,  to  give  the 
reader  a  more  comprehensive  view  of  the  Association's  aims  and  la- 
bors, before  entering  upon  the  history  of  each  of  the  Churches  separ- 
ately. To  the  imagination  and  probably  to  the  memory  of  the  reader 
must  it  be  left  to  recall  the  many  spirited  discussions,  the  stirring  ad- 
dresses, the  fervid  serm(tns,  the  appeals  for  needy  fields,  the  liberal  con- 
tributions and  the  praiseworthy  zeal  that  have  characterized  this  Asso- 
ciation from  its  beginning. 

We  shall  name  the  members  of  the  Executive  Board  at  intervals  of 
a  few  years,  to  indicate  by  whom  the  business  of  the  Association  has 
been  enacted  between  the  annual  meetings. 

At  the  second  meeting,  1837,  in  the  Union  Meeting  House  with  the 
Gunpowder  Church,  Nanjemoy  Church  was  added  to  the  represen- 
tation. Fourteen  delegates  were  present,  among  them  William  Crane, 
The  first  Report  of  the  Executive  Board  was  made,  showing  a  collec- 
tion of  $449,  and  a  general  interest  in  mission  work. 

At  the  third  meeting,  1838,  the  following  resolution  was  passed  : 
"Caution  8@^Resolved,  that  it  be  most  earnestly  recommended  to  the 
Churches,  that  they  do  not  invite  a  stranger  to  preach  among  them 


MaryliDid  Baptist  History.  1 7 

unless   he  beur  credentials  of  the  most  satisfactory  and  unequivocal 
character." 

On  motion  of  Wm.  Crane,  the  "Widow's  Fiiud"  was  authorized :  $53 
was  the  first  deposit.  In  1840,  Bro.  A.  F.  Crane  was  elected  Clerk, 
and  served  almost  continuously  for  twenty-five  years.  Resolutions 
were  passed  favorable  to  Columbian  College.  For  a  number  of 
years  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Association  to  appoint  preachers  for  pro- 
tracted meetings  at  some. six  or  more  places  in  the  country.  Revs.  Jos. 
Mettam  and  Geo.  F.  Adams  were  the  first  missionaries  appointed  by 
the  Board. 

1839.  This  year  was  signalized  in  Baltimore  by  a  great  revival  of 
religion,  originating  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  in  the 
First  Church.  Two  months  of  his  labor  resulted  in  the  conversion  of 
many  hundreds  of  persons,  and  additions  to  all  the  evangelical  denom- 
inations. The  Baptists  increased  from  565  to  1,183;  and  this  may  be 
said  to  have  given  the  first  great  impetus  to  our  work  here,  because 
many  of  those  who  united  Avith  the  Churches  became  active  and  influ- 
ential laborers  in  the  cause. 

Ten  years  after  organization,  there  were  sixteen  Churches  recorded 
as  represented  with  1,755  members ;  also  sixteen  Sunday  Schools  with 
about  700  scholars.  In  1845,  Revs.  Daniel  Cumming  and  Jona.  Aldrich 
were  named  as  a  Committee  to  make  amendments  to  the  Constitution. 
They  proposed  an  article  defining  Baptist  faith  and  practice.  At 
the  meeting  of  1846,  on  motion  of  G.  F.  Adams,  the  amendment  was 
rejected,  "not  that  the  views  expressed  are  disavowed,  but  the  adop- 
tion of  the  article  is  foreign  to  the  objects  for  which  the  Association 
was  organized."  The  Executive  Board  at  this  date  was  named  as  fol- 
lows :  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill,  James  Wilson,  Thos.  Maybury,  Rev.  F.  Wilson, 
B.  G.  Fry,  0.  Kellogg,  L,  P.  Bayne,  A  .W.  Poulson,  Frederick  A.  Lev- 
ering, Alex.  D.  Kelly,  Geo.  W.  Norris,  Wm.  Crane,  Rev.  0.  W.  Briggs, 
Alex.  Butcher,  S.  Harker,  J.  B.  Moody,  Dr.  G.  K.  Tyler,  J.  F.  Helm, 
Rev.  J.  A  McKean,  J.  D.  McKean,  James  Morrison,  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Sam- 
son, A.  Rothwell,  R.  P.  Anderson,  Rev.  George  F.  Adams,  Wm. 
Rowe,  Rev.  Joseph  Mettam.  Contributions  this  year  for  Home  Mis- 
sionary purposes,  $668.83.  There  were  1,473  members,  17  Sunday 
Schools ;  922  scholars. 

In  1847,  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Exec- 
utive Board,  which  position  he  has  filled  continuously  for  thirty-seven 
years  to  the  present  time.  Rev.  Benjamin  Griffith,  a  licentiate  of  the 
First  Church,  was  appointed  missionary  to  Cumberland,  and  organized 
the  Church  there.  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Fuller  was  a  delegate  from  the 
Seventh  Church,  recently  organized. 


1 8  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

1849.  On  recommendation  of  William  Crane,  the  publication  of 
a  weekly  Baptist  paper  was  authorized.* 

1851.  Rev.  J.  W.  >I.  Williams,  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  entered 
the  Association,  and  has  remained  as  one  of  its  most  active  members  to 
the  present  time. 

1852.  The  Association  authorized  a  memorial,  written  by  Dr.  Ful- 
ler, to  be  presented  to  the  Congress  of  the  U.  S.,  asking  our  government 
to  demand  religious  toleration  for  American  citizens  in  foreign  lands. 
This  memorial  was  presented  and  awakened  considerable  interest  at 
the  time.  The  organization  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
of  Baltimore  was  authorized  by  a  resolution  passed  Nov.,  1852.  Com- 
mittee, Eev.  F.  Wilson,  W.  8.  Crowley,  J.  D.  Marsters,  John  W.  Ball, 
Wm.  Johnson,  jr.  The  object  was  accomplished  in  1853,  and  that 
Society  has  become  one  of  the  most  important  institutions  of  the  City. 

1853.  On  motion  of  Eev.  F.  AVilson,  the  Church  Extension  Society 
was  organized  in  January,  1854. 

*In  1850,  a  Baptist  weekly  paper  of  large  size  called  "The  True  Union"  was  is- 
sued in  Baltimore  by  Thomas  J.  Beach,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Maryland  Bap' 
tist  Union  Association.  Mr.  Beach  was  then  also  editor  of  the  Daily  Sun.  The 
paper  was  vigorously  conducted,  but  the  slender  numbers  of  the  Baptists  in  this 
State  gave  it  an  inadequate  support.  Mr.  Beach  retired  in  February,  1851,  and 
Rev.  Franklin  Wilson  took  charge,  editing  the  paper  gratuitously  for  nearly 
seven  years.  In  1857,  the  Association  authorized  its  continuance  for  another 
year,  with  Rev.  G.  F.  Adams  as  editor  and  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  as  publisher. 
The  following  year  Rev.  John  Berg  acquired  control,  and  managed  it  for  about 
three  years.  It  was  continued  by  private  enterprise  for  a  few  months  longer, 
when,  proving  unremunerative,  and  the  Civil  War  .breaking  out,  it  was  sus- 
pended at  the  close  of  1801. 

Desirous  of  having  some  kind  of  newspaper  organ,  in  1865,  the  Association 
authorized  the  issue  of  a  monthly  half-medium  sheet  entitled  "The  Marj^land 
Baptist"  by  J.  F.  Wcisliampel,  jr.,  and  edited  by  Rev.  F.  Wilson.  This  was  done 
for  one  year — the  enterprise  paid  its  actual  expenses  for  labor  and  material,  and 
about  seventy-five  dollars  over.     It  was  then  discontinued. 

In  1868,  Rev.  0.  F.  Flippo,  then  in  Pocomoke  City,  Md.,  started  another 
denominational  weekly,  which  he  called  "The  Baptist  Visitor."  This  was  pub- 
lished without  any  pecuniary  profit  twelve  years,  the  last  several  years  in  Balti- 
more, as  a  monthly.  Ever  spicy  and  thoroughly  denominational,  with  contri- 
butions from  many  well  known  writers,  it  acquired  a  pleasant  reputation,  but  was 
finally  relinquished  for  want  of  sufficient  support,  and  its  subscription  list  trans- 
ferred to  another  paper. 

These  failures  are  not  to  be  attributed  to  an  unusual  want  of  friendliness  and 
appreciation  among  our  Churches,  but  to  the  fact  that  hitherto  the  Baptists  in 
Maryland  have  not  been  sufficiently  numerous  to  support  the  publication  of  a 
paper  with  its  necessarily  heavy  expenses. 

In  18SH,  Revs.  H.  M.  Wharton  and  A.  C.  Barron  begun  the  weekly  publication 
of  the  "Baltimore  Baptist,"  which  has  reached  its  second  volume.  The  paper  is 
well-edited,  popular,  cheap,  and  deserves  a  generous  support.  It  is  recognized  as 
the  organ  of  our  Association. 


ATaryhind  Baptist  History.  1 9 

1856.  The  twentieth  year  of  the  Association  reports  30  Churches, 
20  ministers,  3,291  members,  13  missionaries,  contributions,  $3,966.56  ; 
Widows'  Fund,  $l,106.-29.  Executive  Board:  Rev.  J.  W.  M.Williams, 
J.  McKim  Marriott,  Isaac  Scribner,  B.  G.  Fry,  Jos.  B.  Thomas,  sen., 
Edward  Soper,  Wm.  H.  Hamer,  Wm.  Crane,  Sam'l  Jackson,  Wm. 
Funk,  Rev.  John  H.  Phillips,  J.  D.  Marsters,  J.  AV.  Ward,  T.  N.  Pat- 
terson, Rev.  Dr.  R.  Fuller,  F.  A.  Levering,  A.  W.  Poulson,  A.  D.  Kelly, 
J.  W.  Ball,  A.  F.  Crane,  C.  West,  A.  A.  Chapman,  Rev.  F.  Wilson, 
Wm.  H.  Ryan,  John  W.  Jevens,  W.  W.  Lawrason,  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams, 
T.  M.  Johnson,  W.  Waggner,  Rev.  L.  W.  Seeley,  W.  D.  McKean,  Dr.  G. 
K.  Tyler,  J.  F.  Helm,  J.  Robertson,  W.  S.  Crowley,  Rev.  G.  W.  Samson, 
Z.  Richards,  A.  Rothwell,  C.  G.  Wagner,  Rev.  J.  Mettam,  W.  Rowe, 
Rev.  D.  B.  Wilhelm,  Rev.  F.  L.  Kregel,  J.  H.  Tucker. 

1860.  "In  view  of  the  distracted  state  of  the  Country,"  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  "prepare  a  formal  address  to  the  Baj)tists  of  the  North 
and  South,  imploring  them  to  'seek  the  things  that  make  for  peace.' 
■and  exert  tlieir  influence  for  moderation  and  forbearance."  On 
motion  of  Rev.  F.  Wilson  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
"History  of  the  Churches." 

1866.  The  thirtieth  year  of  the  Association  reported  39  Churches, 
with  4,843  members;  33  Sunday  schools,  with  3,641  scholars;  contri- 
butions $5,384,46. 

1869.  The  "Church  Building  Loan  Fund"  organized. 
In  1870,  the  Churches  were  requested  to  form  District  Associations, 
which  was  done  subsequently,  under  the  titles  of  Eastern,  Middle  and 
Western  Districts.     These  Associations  are  properly  represented  in  the 
annual  meetings  of  this  body. 

In  1874,  about  $12,000  was  secured  by  individual  subscriptions  to- 
ward the  endowment  of  Columbian  University. 

In  1875  a  movement  was  originated  to  make  a  "Centennial  Thank- 
Offering"  for  the  extinguishment  of  the  debts  upon  all  the  Mission 
Churches  in  the  Association.  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson  was  Chairman 
and  Joshua  Levering  Treasurer  of  the  committee  in  charge.  By  public 
meetings  and  private  efforts,  the  sum  of  $12,744.15  was  contributed. 
The  final  Report  of  this  Committee,  November,  1878,  records  the  fol- 
lowing Receipts  and  Disbursements.  Cash  received  from  the  following 
Churches:  First  Baltimore  $574.50,  Seventh  $2,521.00,  Franklin 
Square  $1,326.63,  Eutaw  Place  $1,956.69,  High  St.  $1,766.57,  Second 
$269.00,  Lee  St.  $143.25,  Shiloh  $25.00,  Rockville  $20.00,  Frostburg 
$20.00,  Longwood  $10.00,  Nanjemoy  $10.00,  Hereford  $20.00,  German- 
town  $5.00,  Cumberland  $5.30,  Rehoboth  10.00,  Newtown  $10.00,Pitts 
Creek  $10.00,  First  Colored  $20.00,  Leadenhall  $50.00,  Entertainment 
and  Lecture  $721.40,    Certificates,  &c.  $163.50,  Sundry  small  Collec- 


20  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

ions  and  interest  $86.31,  Total  $12,744,15.  Cash  paid  to  Leadenhall 
Church  $5,527.25,  Md.  Bapt.  Union  Assoc'n  $2,000.00,  AVoodberry 
$1,579.61,  Shiloh  $1,121.98,  Westminster  ;i-850.00,Frostburg  $1,155.00, 
Columbia  University  $150.00,  Expenses  $303.79,  Bal.  on  hand  $56.25. 
Total  $12,744.15.     A  generous  gift  in  recognition  of  God's  blessings  I 

In  1876,  on  October  20,  the  entire  Baptist  community  were  saddened 
by  the  death  of  Dr.  Fuller. 

1877.  On  motion  of  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  a  "Plan  for  Extinguishing 
Church  Debts"  was  adopted,  and  is  published  annually  with  the  Min- 
utes. The  following  Churches  separated  amicably  from  this  body 
and  organized  the  Columbia  Association:  Second,  E  Street,  Calvary, 
Fifth  and  Nortli  Churches  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  Gay  Street  of 
Georgetown,  D.  C.  This  withdrew  six  Churches,  12  ministers  and 
1,490  members  from  our  Convention,  and  accounts  for  the  diminution 
in  the  record  for  that  year.  April  16.  Decease  of  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams. 
The  following  Resolutions  are  entered  oti  the  Minutes  : 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  our  venerable  and  beloved  brother, 
Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams,  D.  D.,  this  Board  has  lost  a  true  friend,  a  father 
in  Israel,  a  founder  of  the  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association,  and 
one  who  labored  longer  in  its  services  than  any  other. 

Resolved,  That  with  sorrow  for  our  loss  is  mingled  gratitude  to 
God,  as  we  recall  what  he  has  done  through  our  brother's  faithful 
ministry  of  more  than  fifty  years  (nearly  forty  years  of  which  was  spent 
in  Maryland) ;  his  great  usefulness  in  building  up  the  waste  places  of 
our  Zion,  in  the  conversion  of  hundreds  of  souls,  and  the  erection  of 
several  houses  of  worship:  his  multiplied  labors  as  pastor,  missionary, 
evangelist,  and  historian  of  our  churches,  in  all  of  which  his  spotless 
integrity,  untiring  industry,  genuine  humility,  sound  doctrine,  warm 
and  generous  heart,  and  devoted  piety,  commanded  universal  confi- 
dence and  love,  and  have  made  his  memory  precious." 

1882,  March  6.     Decease  of  the  beloved  Rev.  Dr.  Brantly. 

The  Executive  Board  for  1883-4  was  appointed  as  follows: 

First  Church:  J.  AV.  M.  Williams,  E.  Calvin  Williams,  Joseph  B. 
Thomas,  jr.,  Silas  Bennett,  John  A.  English,  Samuel  D.  Buck^  George 
W.  Ward,  F.  W.  King,  A.  J.  Nolley,  Geo.  W.  Evans,  H.  C.  Mettam, 
William  Miller,  J.  A.  McFadden,  F.  A.  Bierbower,  Dr.  Gibbons, 
Charles  M.  Palmer.  Second :  G.  W.  McCullough,  Geo.  W.  Wolf,  J. 
F.  Rossiter,  Adam  Hirshfeld,  T.  W.  Swank,  R.  M.  J.  Harker,  J.  R. 
Gould,  T.  S.  Johnson.  Seventh:  T.  D.  Anderson,  jr.,  Dr.  G.  K.  Tyler, 
Charles  Tyler,  Frank  T.  Grady,  Dr.  M.  Hammond,  AV.  H.  Perkins, 
Charles  M.  Keyser,  G.  B.  AVhite,  AA'ilson  Keyser,  S.  M.  Hamilton, 
Thos.  G.  Potts,  A.  K.  Boteler,  Samuel  J.  Hush,  John  Curlett,  Wm. 
Theo.  Brantly,  L.  M.  Cross,  Howard  B.  AVeishampel,  Joseph  E.  Tyler, 


Af my  land  Baptist  History.  2 1 

F.  S.  BuHock,  E.  J.  Guy.     Hujli  St. :  W.  S.  Penick,  Henry  Taylor, 

G.  W.  Duvall,  J.  F.  Helm,  Wni.  Leonhardt,  Wm.  E.  Mason,  J.  B.  Vail, 
F.  E.  Harbaiigh,  Clias.  E.  Coleman,  John  Bloxham,  J.  J.  Joyner. 
FranhUii  Square:  A.  J.  Eowland,  Franklin  Wilson,  B.  Todd,  W.  Jud- 
son  Brown,  C.  West,  H.  C.  Smyser,  J.  Frank  Brown,  George  G.  Tyler, 
E.  B.  White,  F.  H.  Wilson,  P."e.  Clark,  W.  H.  Eutherford.  Lee  St. : 
W.  F.  Kone,  H.  M.  Wharton,  J.  C.  Eiley,  James  Pollard,  J.  J.  Under- 
hill,  J.  J.  G.  Eiley,  C.  J.  Hussell,  John  M.  Gressitt,  W.  T.  Adams,  W. 
W.  Smoot,  W.  C.  Kaiss,  Charles  Seager,  George  H.  Ball,  E.  B.  Mil- 
bourne,  W.  G.  Suydam,  Dr.  C.  E.  Bierbower.  Eutaw  Place :  G.  P. 
Nice,  Hiram  Woods,  Eugene  Levering,  A.  A.  Chapman,  Charles  A. 
Keyser,  E.  T.  Norris,  W.  H.  Bayne,  S.  G.  B.  Cook,  Joshua  Levering, 
W.  B.  Graves,  James  A.  Gouid,  George  W.  Norris,  Ed.  W.  Ijevering,  E. 
C.  Davidson,  W.  M.  Mentzell,  D.  C.  Chapman,  L.  H.  Nice,  F.  C.  AVoods, 
B.  B.  Warren,  J.  G.  Suman,  W.  L.  Keller,  T.  J.  McGuire,  E.  F.  Kim- 
ball, W.  B.  Davidson,  John  A.  Lawrence.  Fuller  Memorial :  James 
E.  Edmonds,  H.  S.  Kendall,  G.  E.  Barker.  Grace :  Dan'l  J.  Emich, 
Frank  Farley.  German:  Henry  F.  Miller.  Immariuel:  A.  C. Dixon, 
Wm.  Bayne,  A.  J.  Lowndes,  C.  Powell  Grady,  George  0.  Manning, 
Henry  E.  Crane,  Fred.  A.  Levering,  E.  W.  Prentiss,  W.  P.  Harvey. 
Eater's:  W.  T.  Foster.  Fulton  Avenue:  Joseph  H.  Tyler,  W\  J. 
Chapman,  W.  B.  Whiteside,  J.  Holyland,  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.  Roch- 
ville :  D.  H.  Bouic.  Woodberrij :  D.  G.  Stevens.  Waverly :  E.  M. 
Barker,  E.  B.  Morris.  Cumberkmd :  John  Schilling.  Lougwood : 
A.  B.  Hardcastle.  Union  :  Harvey  Johnson,  E.  Mattell,  P.  Patterson. 
Leadenliall :  A.  Brown,  Eichard  Freeman.  Macedonia :  W.  C.  Lawson, 
Leander  Jones.  First  Colored:  Joseph  Eeed.  Ccdvary :  P.  H.  A. 
Braxton,  Thomas  James. 

The  following  brethren  have  served  as  President  of  the  Executive 
Board  :  James  Wilson  1886  to  1846  ;  Wm.  Crane  1846  to  1855  ;  Eich'd 
Fuller  1855-7;  J.  W.  M.  Williams  1857-9;  L.  P.  Bayne  1859  to  1861 ; 
Wm.  Crane  1861-3;  Eich'd  Fuller  1863-4;  Wm.  Crane  1854-6  ;  Hiram 
Woods  1866  to  the  present  time. 

The  following  brethren  have  successively  rendered  great  service  as 
Treasurer:  Wm.  Crane,  John  Mason,  Sanvl  Scribner,  Orson  Kellogg, 
A.  D,  Kelly,  jr.,  W.  W.  Lawrason,  F,  A.  Levering,  Eugene  Levering, 
sen.,  and  Eugene  Levering,  jr. 

Besides  Brethren  Adams  and  Mettam,  already  named,  the  following 
Evangelists  were  appointed  at  various  times  by  the  Board,  to  travel 
through  the  State  :  Eev.  Joseph  Walker,  Eev.  N.  G.  Collins,  and  Eev. 
Dr.  Isaac  Cole.  Also  Eev.  H.  G.  De  Witt,  1861 ;  Eev.  Harvey  Hatcher 
1865 ;  Eev.  Jas.  Nelson,  1872  to  1874;  Eev.  J.  B.  English,  1880  to  1884- 

The  Southern  Baptist  Convention  met  in  Baltimore,  1853,1868, 1884. 


22 


Maryland  Baptist  History. 


From  its  beginning,  the  Association  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the 
religious  welfare  of  the  Colored  People,  and  every  Eeport  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Board  for  many  years  is  devoted  largely  to  a  statement  in  their 
behalf.     The  history  of  the  individual  Churches  will  show  the  result. 

In  1879,  Bro.  Andrew  J.  Lowndes,  Chairman  of   the  Committee   on 

Finance    for   that  year,   prepared  a  careful  report  of   the   pecuniary 

work  of  the  Association  from   its  beginning.     We  give  the  following 

extract  to  show  at  a  glance  the  yearly  contributions  of  our  Churches 

to    its  funds,  bringing  it  up  to  this  date  : 

1837, 
1838, 
1839, 
1840, 
1841, 
1842, 
1843, 
1844, 
1845, 
1846, 


535  members  gave. .  .$448  94 

550  "  "  ....211  81 

5(55  "     "  62  59 

1183  "  "  ...794  75 

1554  "  "  ....766  11 

1690  "  "...  .997  34 

1850  "  "  ....793  08 

1889  "  "  ....351  59 

1755  "  "  ....375  64 

1437  "  "...  .543  63 


13044  $5  445  48 

Yearly  average  of  each  member,  42  cts. 

540  members  gave. .  .$816  32 

"  776  14 

"  ..1  727  11 

"  . . 1  657  64 

"  ..1  816  14 

"  ..2  436  21 

"  ..2  438  31 

"  . . 1  627  42 

"  ..4  147  96 

"  ..3  662  91 


1847. 

1540 

1848, 

2004 

1849, 

2003 

1850, 

2034 

1851, 

2342 

1852, 

2448 

1853, 

2527 

1854, 

2808 

1855, 

3149 

1856. 

3291 

24146 


^21  106  16 


Average  per  member,  89  cents. 

1857,  3834  members  gave.  $2  829  45 

1858,  4154   "  "  ..2  891  87 

1859,  4143   "  "  ..3  763  94 

1860,  4274   "  "  ..4  027  61 

1861,  4295   "  "  .  .3  166  30 
1863,  4027   "     "  ..2  498  58 


1863, 

4137  members  gave.  .2  744  0] 

1864, 

4315    "     "  ..3  324  28 

1865, 

4545    "     "  ..2  515  53 

1866, 

4843    "     "  ..4  689  56 

42567  $33  451  \Z- 

Average  per  member,  79  cents. 


1867, 
1868, 
1869, 
1870, 
1871. 
1872, 
1873, 
1874, 
1875, 
1876,* 


5076  members  gave.  $2  510  52 
5134   "         ^ 
5324 

5544 
5434 
5528 
6756 
7773 
8659 
10271 


65499 


..5 

366  58 

..3 

275 

47 

..3 

220 

33 

..5  384  83' 

..5 

148 

m 

..9 

399 

71 

..6 

145 

57 

..8  479 

60' 

..5 

923  67 

$54 

854  87 

Average  per  member,  83  cents. 
*Centennial  contribution  of  $12,744. 15- 
not  included. 


1877, 
1878, 
1879, 
1880, 
3881, 
1882,. 
1883, 


10716membersgave.$5  116  07 

9424  "  "  ..4  240  33 

9847  "  "  ..4  316  06 

8306  "  "  ..4  948  66 

8755  "  "  ..5  290  63 

9353  "  "  ..5  103  09 

9307  ■  "  "  ..6  419  m 


66208  $49  549  80' 

Average  per  member,  53|^  cents. 

During  our  Association,  17,441  members  have  been  received  into  the 
Churches  by  baptism,  and  7,713  by  letter ;  total  25,154.  Deaths,  dis- 
missals and  exclusions  from  year  to  year,  leave  the  present  number  of 
members  about  10,000.     [See  Table  at  end  of  Volume.] 

The  year  1884  brings  us  to  the  close  of  our  record.  It  is  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-two  years  since  the  first  Baptist  congregation  was  plant- 
ed in  our  State;  one  hundred  years  since  the  founding  of  the  first  Bap- 
tist Church  in  Baltimore;  ninety-one  years  since  our  first  Baptist  As- 
sociation was  organized,  and  forty-eight  years  since  the  beginning  of 
the ''Maryland  Baptist  Union."  The  present  hour  is  joyous  from  re- 
cent successes.     May  God  continue  to  bless  his  Churches  !. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  2  3 

1742. 
SATER'S  BAPTIST  CHURCH/== 

WITH  A  NOTICE  OF  OTHER    EARLY    CHURCHES. 

About  the  year  1709,-Mr.  Henry  Sater,  of  England,  purchased  a  tract 
of  hind  on  what  was  then  known  as  "Chestnut  Ridge,"  about  nine  miles 
northwest  of  "Baltimore  Town."  He  belonged  to  the  "General  Bap- 
tists" as  distinguished  from  the  "Particular,"  or  more  properly  Calvin- 
istic  Baptists.  He  was  frequently  called  upon  to  entertain  strangers. 
Among  the  travelers  from  eastern  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
there  was  found  occasionally  a  Baptist  minister,  and  such  Mr.  Sater 
always  invited  to  his  "plantation,"  to  preach  at  his  dwelling.  En- 
couraged by  the  number  who  attended  services,  he  at  length  deter- 
mined to  provide  a  more  suitable  place  of  worship,  and  erected  a  meet- 
ing house  on  his  own  land  at  his  own  expense.  He  afterwards,  Novem- 
ber 17,  1742,  deeded  the  house  with  "one  acre  of  land  for  a  Meeting 
House,  burying  place  and  all  other  conveniences,  for  the  Church  and 
Congregation  for  ever,  to  the  end  of  the  world."  The  trustees  were 
Henry  Loveall,  Thomas  West,  William  Towson  and  William  Brown, 
"Deacons  and  Elders  to  the  Church,  Congregation,  or  People  of  God, 
commonly  called  General  Baptists."  Some  of  Mr.  Sater's  descendants 
are  still  to  be  found  in  some  of  our  Churches  in  the  city  and  country. 

The  first  minister  whom  Mr.  Sater  obtained  to  preach  in  his  house, 
was  George  Eglesfield  of  Pennsylvania.  After  him  was  Paul  Palmer, 
who  baptized  nine  persons.  The  next  was  Henry  Loveall,  who 
may  be  regarded  as  the  first  pastor.  He  baptized  forty-eight  persons, 
and  with  nine  others  organized  a  Church  of  fifty-seven  members. 
Mr.  Loveall  was  from  New  Jersey.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of 
talent  and  an  acceptable  preacher.     He  remained  pastor  four  years. 

The  Covenant  under  which  this  Church  was  organized,  is  a  unique 
politico-ecclesiastical  document,  and  is  herewith  given  as  a  curiosity  : 

"We,  the  humble  professors  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  baptized  on  a 
declaration  of  faith  and  repentance,  believing  the  doctrine  of  general 


*Sater's  Baptist  Church,  as  now  constituted,  is  not  placed  properly  at  the 
head  of  our  list  as  the  oldest,  the  present  organization  being  onlj'  one  of  several 
successive  corporations  founded  after  the  extinction  of  the  earlier  ones.  Its  loca- 
tion, however,  being  that  of  the  first  congregation  of  Maryland  Baptists,  It  became 
necessary  to  describe  it  and  other  early  Churches  here,  to  preserve  the  chronology 
of  our  narrative.  In  point  of  fact,  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Baltimore  is  the 
oldest  body  in  our  A.ssociation. 


24  Alary /and  Baptist  History. 

redemption  (or  free  grace  of  Gcd  to  all  niaukiiuV),  do  hereby,  seriously 
heartily  and  solemnly,  in  the  presence  of  the  Searcher  of  all  hearts,  and 
before  the  world,  covenant,  agree,  bind  and  settle  ourselves  into  a 
Church  to  hold,  abide  by  and  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,  owned  by  the  best  reformed  Churches  in  England,  Scotland  and 
elsewhere,  especially  as  maintained  in  the  forms  and  confessions  of  the 
Baptists  in  England,  differing  in  nothing  from  the  articles  of  the 
Churches  of  England  and  Scotland,  except  in  infant  baptism,  modes 
of  Church  government,  the  doctrine  of  absolute  reprobation,  and  some 
ceremonies.  We  do  also  bind  ourselves  to  defend  and  live  up  to  the 
Protestant  Religion,  and  to  abhor  and  oppose  the  whore  of  Rome,  pope 
and  popery,  with  all  her  anti-christian  ways.  We  do  also  engage  with 
our  lives  and  fortunes  to  defend  the  crown  and  dignity  of  our  gracious 
sovereign  King  George,  to  him  and  his  issue  forever,  and  to  obey  all  his 
laws,  humbly  submitting  ourselves  to  all  in  authority  under  him,  and 
giving  custom  to  whom  custom,  honor  to  whom  honor,  tribute  to 
whom  tribute  is  due.  We  do  further  declare  that  we  are  not  against 
taking  oaths,  nor  using  arms  in  defence  of  our  king  and  country,  when 
legally  called  thereto :  and  that  we  do  approve  and  will  obey  the  laws 
of  this  Province.  And  further,  we  do  bind  ourselves  to  follow  the 
patterns  of  our  brethren  in  England,  to  maintain  order,  government 
and  discipline  in  our  Church,  especially  that  excellent  directory  of 
Re\%  Francis  Stanley,  entitled  'The  Gospel  Honor  and  the  Churches' 
Ornament,'  dedicated  to  the  Churches  in  the  counties  of  Lincoln, 
Nottingham  and  Cambridge.  We  also  engage  that  all  persons,  on  join- 
ing our  Society,  shall  yield  consent  to  and  subscribe  to  this  our  solemn 
league  and  covenant.  Subscribed  to  by  us,  whose  names  are  under- 
written, this  10th  day  of  July,  1742." 

This  Church  from  its  location  was  originally  called  Chestnut  Ridge. 
After  Mr.  Loveall  left,  it  was  supplied  by  Revs.  Benjamin  Griffith, Peter 
Van  Horn  and  others.  Most  of  these  ministers  appear  to  have  been  of 
the  Calvinistic  order.  During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  members 
were  very  much  scattered,  and  the  Church  became  extinct. 

After  the  country  was  blessed  with  peace,  the  scattered  fragments 
were  gathered  by  the  ministry  of  the  venerable  John  Davis,  and  were 
reorganized  under  the  name  of  "Sater's."  Elders  Absalom  Butler  and 
George  Grice,  both  of  them  good  men  and  true,  afterward  ministered 
to  this  Church. 

The  original  meeting  house  built  by  Mr.  Sater  became  too  small, 
and  was  enlarged  early  in  the  present  century.  To  celebrate  the  re- 
dedication  of  the  house  after  its  enlargement,  a  'June  Meeting"  was 
established.  From  that  time  to  the  present,  this  meeting  has  been 
irregularly   maintained    on    the   second    Sunday  in  June.     Scores  of 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  25 

people  come  from  the  surrounding  country  and  from  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, to  hear  the  word  preached.  Sometimes  the  crowd  has  been  so 
large,  that  they  have  been  obliged  to  abandon  the  house  and  hold  their 
service  in  the  grove  of  primeval  caks  surrounding  the  house.  Mr. 
Grice  continued  to  be  their  pastor  till  his  death,  in  1826.  His  remains 
lie  buried  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  meeting  house.  The 
headstone  bears  this  inscription  :  "He  was  a  good  man,  a  good  preacher, 
kind  and  afltectionate,  and  lived  beloved  and  died  lamented." 

For  many  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Grice,  we  find  no  materials 
from  which  to  gather  any  satisfactory  information  of  Sater's  Church ; 
but  it  continued  to  exist  and,  at  least  occasionally,  to  have  had 
preaching  by  visiting  ministers.  About  the  year  1840,  after  the  great 
revival  under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Knapp,  there  was  quite  an  awaken- 
ing of  the  almost  dead  Churches  of  Baltimore  county.  The  Church 
at  Sater's  had  become  so  nearly  extinct  that  there  seemed  to  be  almost 
no  one  to  hold  the  property.  In  1842,  just  a  century  after  the  original 
organization,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  creating  trustees.  The 
corporators  were:  Edward  Eider,  Sater  T.Walker,  George  F  Adams, 
Frederick  Harrison,  (only  one  now  surviving,)  William  Crane,  Thomas 
Poteet,  Edward  Green,  Kichard  Pierce,  Edward  Norwood,  Lewis  E. 
Cole,  Edward  Burnham.  Of  these  eleven,  only  three.  Eider,  Harrison 
and  Burnham,  lived  near  the  meeting  house,  but  they  were  all  mem- 
bers of  other  Baptist  Churches.  Eev.  Joseph  Mettam  and  Eev.  Daniel 
Cumming  came  occasionally  to  preach  there.  Mr.  Gumming  baptized 
one  and  Mr.  Mettam  baptized  fourteen.  These  however  united  with 
Pikesville  Church,  there  being  no  organized  Church  at  Sater's.  As 
this  was  however  the  oldest  place  of  worshi}>  of  our  denomination  in  the 
State,  there  was  a  proper  desire  to  maintain  an  interest  there.  Mr.  Ei- 
der and  Mr.  Harrison  were  always  ready  to  aid  the  cause.  Through 
these  brethren,  Revs.  F.  Wilson,  J.  A.  McKean,  S.  P.  Hill,  G.  F- 
Adams,  E.  Fuller  and  others  visited  and  preached  there.  The  June 
Meetings  were  revived. 

In  November,  1864,  the  Executive  Board  of  our  Association  ap- 
pointed Eev.  J.  L.  Lodge  as  their  missionary  to  labor  in  this  field.  So 
low  was  the  condition  of  the  Church,  that  Mr.  Lodge's  first  congrega- 
tion consisted  of  only  three  persons.  The  meeting  house  was  almost 
ruined  from  neglect  and  exposure  to  the  weather.  Mr.  Lodge  soon 
gathered  a  Sunday  school  of  nearly  forty  children,  and  in  a  short  time 
quite  a  large  congregation  to  regular  preaching  services.  A  few  were 
baptized,  and  at  the  June  meeting  the  next  year,  there  were  found 
eight  members,  who  were  desirous  of  forming  into  Church  relationship, 
the  old  organization  having  through  deaths  and  removals  become  ex- 
tinct.    These  were  constituted  and  recognized  as  a  regular  Church  by 


26  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Eevs.  Dr.  Cole  and  Geo.  F.  Adams,  visiting  ministers,  and  Mr.  Lodge 
was  chosen  pastor.  It  was  thought  best  also  to  elect  and  incorporate 
a  new  board  of  trustees.  A  meeting  of  the  qualified  voters  according 
to  charter  was  called,  and  the  following  persons  were  duly  eleoted,  viz : 
Franklin  Wilson,  Wm.  T.  Foster,  Hiram  Woods,  J.  W.  M.  Williams 
and  George  G.  Tyler  ;  James  L.  Lodge,  pastor,  being  ex-officio  also  a 
member  of  the  said  board.  In  September,  1865,  the  surviving  members 
of  the  old  board  transferred  all  their  right  in  the  property  to  the  new 
trustees.  By  November  following,  fifteen  persons  were  baptized.  The 
Church  was  that  year  received  into  our  connexion.  Mr.  Lodge  con- 
tinued pastor  four  years.  Accessions  were  made  from  time  to  time . 
The  school  at  one  time,  1868,  numbered  14  officers  and  teachers,  with 
112  scholars,  and  the  Church  increased,  reaching  48  members  in  1870- 
During  Mr.  Lodge's  pastorate,  the  house  was  completely  renovated. 
The  old  high  wine-glass  pulpit,  reached  by  a  winding  stair-case,  with 
an  octagonal  sounding  board,  suspended  from  the  ceiling  over  the 
preacher's  head,  gave  place  to  a  modern  platform.  A  cupola  was  erect- 
ed, a  bell  procui-ed,  new  seats  furnished,  doors  and  windows  repaired, 
the  whole  jjainted,  and  a  new  substantial  fence  placed  around  the  lot. 
The  cost  of  these  improvements  was  nearly  $1,000. 

In  1866,  the  Church  experienced  a  heavy  loss  in  the  death  of  deacon 
Edward  Kider.  He  was  a  man  of  much  efficiency  of  character,  of  bus- 
iness habits,  and  to  his  energy  and  liberality  the  Church  was  largely 
indebted  for  its  sustenance.  In  the  same  year,  Bro.  Lodge  resigned  and 
was  succeeded  by  Eev.  John  W.  Jones,  who  remained  until  1871.  La- 
ter, Dr.  Isaac  Cole  supplied  the  pulpit  semi-monthly.  From  1876  to 
1880,  Rev.  E.  B.  Walts  labored  earnestly  as  pastor.  Subsequently,  Rev. 
T.  D.  D.  Clark  and  Rev.  C.  D.  Parker  preached  there  for  brief  periods. 

The  Church,  however,  barely  maintained  an  existence, until,  in  1882, 
an  improvement  took  place.  Ten  members  of  the  Eutaw  Place  and  Sev- 
enth Churches  living  in  this  neighborhood,  united  with  Sater's.  They 
were  Bro.  Wm.  T.  Poster  and  wife  Angelina  A.,  their  daughter  Anne 
A.,  and  sons  Chas.  T.  and  Edvv'd  R.  Foster;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stevenson? 
sister  of  Mrs.  Foster,  (both  daughters  of  the  late  Edward  Rider;)  also, 
Dr.  W.  G.  Rider,  son  of  the  same  ;  John  G.  Cockey  and  wife  Mary  Ann, 
and  Mrs.  Helen  Brady.  The  Church  is  now  lively,  self-supporting^ 
contributes  liberally  to  home  and  foreign  missions,  and  has  lately  ex- 
pended about  $500  in  enlarging  and  repairing  its  meeting-house.  Its 
membership  is  reported  at  30.  Rev.  Jas.  A.  Woolf  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  the  present  year.  The  following  are  the  officers  :  Deacons, 
John  G.  Rider,  Abraham  Brown  ;  Treasurer,  William  G.  Rider;  Clerk? 
Charles  T.  Foster. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  27 

HARFORD  CHURCH. 

In  connection  with  Sater's,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  state  some  facts  in 
relation  to  Harford  Church.  Although  Sater's  was  the  first  Baptist 
Church  formed  in  this  State,  yet  Harford  in  its  early  history  was  a  more 
active  and  efficient  body.  If  Sater's  claims  priority  in  age,  her  younger 
sister  can  justly  boast  of  a  more  numerous  offspring,  and  be  regarded 
as  a  "mother  Church."  The  early  ministers  of  Harford  were  active 
and  enterprising,  men  of  decided  missionary  spirit,  and  by  the  divine 
blessing  on  their  abundant  labors,  the  gospel  was  spread  abroad,  took 
root,  and  brought  forth  fruit  in  distant  places,  as  well  as  in  their  own 
immediate  neighborhood. 

A  few  years  after  tlie  constitution  of  the  Church  at  Chestnut  Ridge, 
some  of  the  members  wlio  preferred  the  doctrines  of  the  "Particular 
Baptists,"  obtained  letters  and  constituted  a  new  Church  at  Winter's 
Eun,  in  Harford  county.  This  was  in  175-4.  They  were  immediately 
received  into  the  Pliiladelphia  Association.  Revs.  Benjamin  Griffith 
and  Peter  Van  Horn  were  their  ministers.  They  afterwards  assumed 
the  title  of  "Harford  Chnrch."  John  Uavis,  a  young  preacher,  from 
Pennepek,  Pa.,  was  called,  and  remained  pastor  until  his  death  in  1809, 
aged  87  years.  In  recording  this,  the  minutes  of  the  old  Association 
contain  this  comment  of  praise:  "Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord 
is  the  death  of  his  s  lints."  Bro.  Davis  discharged  the  duties  of  his 
office  for  fifty-three  years,  the  longest  pastorate  known  in  this  region 
among  Baptists.  All  who  knew  him  rejoresent  him  as  having  been  a 
man  of  eminent  piety,  sound  views,  consistent  character,  and  fervent 
zeal.  He  traveled  much,  and  generally  on  horseback,  preaching  Christ 
wherever  he  went.  The  woods,  the  school-house,  the  barn,  the  cabin, 
the  parlor,  the  meeting  house,  were  all  alike  to  him  places  of  worship 
and  of  labor.*  Nor  did  he  fail  to  preach  to  the  solitary  traveler  on  the 
highway.  While  manifesting  this  primitive  zeal,  he  was  sometimes 
called  to  endure  primitive  persecution,  for  though  the  law  guaranteed 
protection  to  his  calling,  yet  there  were  not  wanting  "lewd  fellows  of 
the  baser  sort"  who  resorted  to  violence,  in  their  efforts  to  hinder  the 
gospel. 

*In  his  old  age,  Father  Davis  fell  into  the  habit  of  reading  the  Bible  as  he  was 
riding  to  his  appointments.  Joseph  H.  Jones  says,  in  his  pamphlet,  "I  have  been 
informed  by  one  who  knew  him  very  well,  that  he  would  sometimes  be  late  in 
getting  to  Sater's,  when  he  would  pleasantly  say,  'Well,  brethren,  old  John  Da- 
vis is  as  sure  as  a  gun,  but  not  quite  so  quick  !'  Frequently  this  detention  would 
arise  from  his  becoming  so  engaged  in  his  medita-tions  on  the  way,  that  the  horse 
on  which  he  rode  would  stop  in  a  fence  corner  to  nip  grass,  while  he,  with  Bible 
in  hand,  would  sit  on  his  saddle,  until  some  passer-by  would  say  to  him,  'Father 
Davis,  it  is  near  meeting  time.'  The  reply  would  be,  'Is  it  ?  dear  me  !'  and  he 
would  jog  along." 


28  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Harford  gave  rise  to  the  First  Baltimore,  Taneytown,  Gunpowder, 
Frederick  and  Westminster  Churches,  the  last  three  now  extinct.  A 
short  distance  from  Westminster  there  was  once  a  flourishing  Baptist 
interest.  Father  Davis,  Elders  Green,  Grice  and  others  visited  that 
field  frequently,  preaching  to  large  crowds  and  baptizing  many  con- 
verts. Sixteen  acres  of  ground  were  given  to  trustees  for  the  uses  of  a 
Baptist  Church.  About  1841,  Rev.  Wm.  Laws,  then  a  missionary  of 
our  Board,  procured  lumber  and  other  materials  for  the  erection  of  a 
house  of  worship  on  that  land.  The  frame-work  was  put  up,  but  the 
building  was  never  completed.  At  one  time,  Harford  was  the  largest 
and  most  flourishing  Baptist  Church  in  Maryland.  From  1799  to  1803, 
there  was  a  gracious  revival  there,  increasing  the  membership  from  101 
to  226.  Rev.  Absalom  Butler  was  associated  with  Father  Davis.  For 
several  years  after  Bro.  Davis'  death  there  was  no  settled  pastor.  About 
1814,  Rev.  Thos.  Barton  took  charge  for  six  years;  then  Rev.  Thomas 
Poteet,  and  afterwards  Rev.  Wm.  \\  ilson.  The  Church  became  aff'ected 
with  anti-missionary  views  and  lost  its  power  for  usefulness.  In  1836 
it  remained  in  the  old  Baltimore  Association,  and  still  exists. 

FREDERICKTOWN  CHURCH. 

In  chronological  order,  the  next  Baptist  Church  formed  in  Maryland 
was  at  Fredericktown,  now  City.  The  minutes  give  no  information  of 
its  origin,  except  tlie  date,  1773.  In  that  year  it  was  received  into  the 
Ketoctin  Association,  Va.  Its  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Absalom  Bainbridge, 
who  was  succeeded  by  Revs.  William  Parkinson,  William  Gilmor,  John 
Welch,  Plummer  Waters  and  Jos.  H.  Jones.  Its  largest  membership 
never  exceeded  fifty.  In  1854,  it  joined  our  Association,  but  failed  to 
report  after  a  few  years,  and  has  become  extinct.  A  good  stone  meeting 
house  belonging  to  that  body  is  now  occupied  by  a  Colored  Baptist 
Church. 

OLD  SENECA  CHURCH. 

This  Church  was  organized  in  1773.  through  the  labors  of  Daniel 
and  Wm.  Fristoe,  Richard  Major  and  .Jeremiah  Moore,  all  well-known, 
faithful  preachers.  It  was  located  in  Montgomery  county,  near  Seneca 
creek.  Daniel  Fristoe  was  the  first  pastor,  but  died  a  year  after  enter- 
ing duty.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Moore  was  then  called,  and  served  for  forty 
years.  He  was  regarded  as  a  remarkable  man  and  preacher.  He  died 
in  1815.  Rev.  Plummer  Waters  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  for  nearly 
the  same  period.  As  this  Church  was  never  connected  with  our  As- 
sociation, it  is  not  necessary  to  follow  its  history  here. 


REV.  J.  W.  M.  WILLIAMS,  D.  D. 


PASTOR   OF  THE    FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH.  BALTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  31 


1/85. 
FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH,   BALTIMORE. 

At  what  precise  date  a  meeting  of  Baptists  was  first  held  in  Balti- 
more, we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining;  but  certainly,  twelve  years 
before  the  actual  organization  of  a  Church,  the  propriety  of  forming 
one  was  under  consideration  by  a  number  of  brethren  then  resident  in 
"Baltimore  Town."  In  1773,  Thomas  Bailey,  executor  of  William  and 
Ezekiel  Towson,  conveyed  to  Benjamin  Griffith,  Nathaniel  Griffith 
David  Shields,  George  Presstman,  Kichard  Lemmon,  John  McKim, 
James  Cox  and  Alexander  McKim,  the  right  and  title  to  a  lot  of 
ground,  in  Jones'  addition  to  ''Baltimore  Town"  for  the  sum  of  £150, 
*'for  a  house  of  public  worship  and  also  for  a  burying  place,  for  the 
service  of  the  congregation  or  Society  that  is  now  or  may  hereafter 
be  established  or  constituted  in  Baltimore  Town  known  by  the  name 
or  appellation  of  Baptists."  This  lot  was  half  an  acre  in  extent,  suit- 
able to  contain  a  house  of  worship  and  a  grave- yard,  and  accessible  to 
Jones'  Falls  for  baptism.  A  house  was  shortly  erected,  40  x  60  feet, 
which  remained  until  1828,  when  the  Merchant's  Shot  Tower  was 
erected  on  its  site.  A  small  school  house  and  a  dwelling  for  the  pastor 
were  also  erected  on  this  lot. 

Eev.  John  Davis,  the  pastor  of  Harford  Church,  was  then  in  the 
habit  of  gathering  a  small  band  of  disciples  together,  and  preaching  to 
them  once  a  month.  Most  of  them  were  members  of  his  Church  in 
Harford.  This  arrangement  continued  till  1784,  when  Rev.  Lewis 
Richards,  a  Welchman  by  birth,  came  to  this  city  from  Charleston,  S. 
C.  Finding  in  him  a  suitable  under-shepherd,  these  disciples  withdrew 
from  Harford  Church  by  regular  letters  of  dismission,  and  with  their 
pastor  elect  were  conftituted  an  independent  body,  January  15,  1785. 
The  constituent  members  were  Rev.  Lewis  Richards,  pastor,  David 
Shields  and  wife,  George  Presstman  and  wife,  Richard  Lemmon,  Alex- 
ander McKim,  Thomas  Coal  and  wife,  William  Hobby  and  Mrs.  Eleanor 
Thomas.  The  same  day  on  which  the  Church  was  constituted,  their 
first  baptism  took  place.  The  Church  united  with  the  Philadelphia 
Association.     The  number  of  members  in  1787  was  twenty-eight. 

Before  proceeding  further,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  a  brief  notice 
of  their  first  pastor.  Mr.  Lewis  Richards  was  born  in  Cardiganshire, 
South  Wales,  in  1752.  He  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  at 
nineteen  years  of  age,  and  united  with  the  "Independents."     Soon  after 


32  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

this,  becoming  >icqu;iinted  with  tiie  celebrated  Lady  Huntingdon,  he 
pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  College  endowed  by  her  liberality. 
Several  years  later  he  embarked  for  America,  intending  to  continue 
his  studies  at  the  famous  "Orphan  House,"  founded  by  Whitefield  in 
Georgia.  How  long  he  stayed  there,  is  not  known.  He  was  baptized 
by  Rev.  Richard  Furman,  at  the  High  Hills  of  Santee,  8.  0.,  in  1777, 
and  ordained  the  same  year  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Oliver  Hart  and  Joseph 
Cook.  He  traveled  and  preached  acceptably  in  difterent  parts  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia.  In  1780,  he  moved  to  Northampton  County, 
Va.,  and  thence  to  Baltimore  in  1784.  He  was  elected  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  and  remained  alone  in  this  office  thirty  years.  In  1815, 
Rev.  Edmond  J.  Reis  was  elected  assistant  pastor,  and  they  continued 
to  cooperate  thus  for  three  years,  when  in  1818,  Mr.  Richards  resigned 
his  pastorship,  but  continued  his  connection  as  a  member  of  the  Church 
until  he  died,  February  1,  1832,  being  then  in  his  eightieth  year. 

Mr.  Richards  was  about  five  feet,  four  inches  in  height,  and  of 
rather  handsome  appearance.  He  was  not  distinguished  for  learning 
or  eloquence,  yet  by  his  blandness  of  manner,  his  affectionate  dispo- 
sition, simple  hearted,  yet  intelligent  and  consistent  piety,  his  meekness 
of  spirit,  his  unselfishness,  his  untiring  devotion  to  the  Master's  cause, 
he  not  only  won  the  esteem  of  Christians,  but  the  respect  even  of 
unbelievers.  His  charity  was  that  which  "seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not 
easily  provoked,  thinketh  no  evil." 

In  ministerial  labors,  till  the  infirmities  of  age  prevented,  he  was 
untiring.  He  not  only  filled  his  own  pulpit  creditably  to  himself  and 
acceptably  to  his  people,  but  he  traveled  much  to  spread  the  gospel  in 
regions  beyond  him.  The  Churches  at  Taneytown,  Fredericktown, 
Hammond's  Branch  and  others  were  often  indebted  to  him  for  sermons. 
During  his  ministry  of  thirty  years,  the  membership  increased  from 
eleven  constituents,  to  one  hundred  and  sixty- four.  His  style  was  de- 
cidedly calvinistic,  without  the  least  approach  to  antinomianism.  He 
was  eminently  practical,  both  in  preaching  and  in  living.  Of  him  it 
might  be  said  as  emphatically  as  of  any  man ;  "mark  the  perfect  man 
and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace."  Mr.  Rich- 
ards was  twice  married. 

The  Church  prospered,  baptisms  and  receptions  by  letter  were  fre- 
quent. In  its  infancy,  however,  it  was  not  wichout  trouble  in  financial 
matters.  So  limited  were  the  resources,  that  in  August,  1787,  the  Clerk 
was  directed  to  inform  the  pastor  that  they  were  not  able  to  pay  his 
salai'y,  and  to  give  him  leave  to  seek  a  better  field.  But  he  continued 
with  them  for  what  they  could  raise,  which  was  at  that  time  about 
$650  per  annum.  What  means  of  support  the  pastor  had  beyond 
this,  we  know  not.     The  relation,  however,  between  him  and  the  people 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  -li?) 

of  his  charge  continued  without  interruption  for  many  years.  In  1792 
William  Clinghani  was  baptized.  After  diligent  inquiry,  his  character 
was  found  to  be  blameless,  and  his  gifts  for  the  ministry  being  ap- 
poved,  he  was  ordained.  After  preaching  in  Baltimore,  and  through 
the  State,  he  moved  to  Mifflin  County,  Pa.,  where  his  labors  were 
blessed  to  the  conversion  of  many  souls,  and  the  constitution  of  a 
Church.  He  afterward  returned  to  Maryland  and  was  for  some  time 
pastor  of  both  Old  Seneca  and  Bethel  Churches.  He  lived  and  labored 
to  a  good  old  age,  and  departed  this  life,  beloved  by  his  fellow  Chris- 
tians and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  1795,  this  Church  united  with  the  Baltimore  Baptist  Association. 
So  far,  the  support  of  the  minister  had  been  by  voluntary  subscriptions 
In  the  same  year  a  plan  was  adopted  for  "pewing"  the  meeting  house. 
Some  members  agreed  to  advance  the  funds  necessary,  to  be  repaid  by 
a  small  tax  on  the  pews  exclusive  of  what  might  be  laid  on  them  for  the 
minister  ;  this  exclusive  tax  was  to  be  paid  at  the  beginning  of  each 
year,  until  the  wbole  expense  of  pewing  was  paid. 

The  affairs  of  the  Church  moved  smoothly.  In  1801,  seventeen  were 
added  by  baptism  and  nine  by  letter;  total  number  of  members,  one 
hundred  and  three.  The  year  following  twenty-five  were  baptized. 
In  1815,  the  assistant  pastor  was  elected.  Some  questions  of  importance 
were  occasionally  brought  up  for  discussion.  Among  these  was  the 
condition  of  the  colored  people.  In  a  letter  to  the  Philadelphia  Asso- 
ciation in  1789,  the  Church  wrote  :  'Brethren,  contemplating  the  suf- 
ferings and  unhappy  condition  of  the  negroes,  who  are  held  in  slavery 
among  us,  we  are  induced  to  recommend  their  case  to  your  notice,  and 
to  solicit  the  influence  of  your  counsels  in  their  behalf.  Societies  have 
been  formed  in  this  and  some  of  the  neighboring  States  for  the  protec- 
tion of  those  who  are  unlawfully  held  in  bondage,  and  we  are  happy  to 
observe  that  the  society  lately  established  in  this  town  has  been  ser- 
viceable in  the  cause  of  Liberty.  This  matter  dwells  on  our  minds 
with  peculiar  weight."  On  another  occasion,  it  was  discussed  whether 
slaves  were  "capable  of  being  Church  members,"  and  decided  in  the 
affirmative.  A  number  of  slaves  had,  in  fact,  already  been  admitted 
by  baptism  and  letter.  Another  query  was  brought  forward  several 
times  :  "Whether  colored  members  might  vote  at  business  meetings  ?" 
No  record  is  made  of  a  decision. 

Church  discipline  was  maintained.  Not  only  were  vices  made  sub- 
ject to  reprobation,  but  such  popular  amusements  as  the  people  style 
"innocent"  received  decided  censure.  Dancing  was  denounced  as  "at 
variance  with  Christian  propriety."  A  resolution  was  adopted  "that 
this  Church  have  no  fellowship  with   those   members  who  send  their 


34  Maryland  Baptist  liistoiy. 

children  to  dancing  school."  In  consequence  of  this,  two  of  the  most 
respectable  and  wealthy  members  of  the  Church  were  excluded. 

A  number  of  young  men  were  brought  into  the  ministry  through  this 
Church  in  its  early  years.  Among  them  was  Wm.  Clingham,  already 
named,  John  Welsh,  George  Grice,  Thomas  Barton,  Geo.  H.  Marcher, 
Samuel  Nightingale,  James  Osborne,  and  John  Johnson. 

A  feature  in  the  early  Church  books  is  a  record  of  the  deaths  of  the 
Members,  and  notices  of  their  character. 

In  1815,  Rev.  Edmond  J.  Reis  came  to  this  city  from  St.  John's,  Xew 

Brunswick.     He  was  a  French  Canadian,  of  good  education,  sprightly 

intellect  and  eloquent  speech.     His  command  of  the  English  language 

was  complete,  but  his  accent  was  French,  which  was  noi  disagreeable, 

however,  to  most  of  his  hearers,  and  he  drew  crowds  to  his  preaching. 

-A  rumor  that  he  had  studied  for  the  Catholic  priesthood  added  public 

interest  to  his  name.     Mr.  Reis  was  invited  to  become  assistant  pastor 

-of  the  First  Church,  and  accepted.     In  six  months  he  was  chosen'  as 

'  co-pastor,  of  course  by  desire  of  Bro.  Richards,  who  was  now  becoming 

infirm.      The  Church  improved  under  the  change, and  many  member* 

"Were  added  to  its  roll.  There  was  a  continuous  revival  for  several  years.- 

In  November,  1817,  Mr.  Richards  resigned  and  Mr.  Reis  was  elected 
sole  pastor,  for  one  year.  To  show  their  feelings  toward  the  retiring 
pastor,  it  was  agreed,  Feb.,  1818,  "that  the  Church  make  ample  provi- 
sion for  our  late  pastor,  Bro.  Lewis  Richards,  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life."  It  was  decided  that  $600  per  annum  should  be  paid  him  in 
•quarterly  instalments,  as  long  as  he  lived.  This  was  a  just  tribute  to 
a  worthy  servant  of  the  Lord,  who  had  ministered  to  them  for  a  third 
'Of  a  century,     A  more  suitable  token  co'uld  hardly  have  been  given. 

About  this  time  a  new  place  of  worship  was  mooted,  the  old  house 
V)n  Front  street  becoming  too  small.  Rev.  Dr.  Staughton,  of  Philadel- 
phia furnished  a  plan  for  an  imposing  building,  modeled  somewhat  after 
the  Pantheon  at  Rome.  Its  circular  shape  involved  a  large  expense 
beyond  that  of  a  square  structure,  which  was  a  serious  objection  to 
those  on  whom  the  responsibilty  of  its  cost  would  mainly  fall,  among 
TtisrJiom  was,  chiefly,  Mr.  William  AVilson.  The  majority  of  the  Church, 
however,  decided  in  favor  of  the  costly  edifice,  and  it  was  built.  Mr. 
Wilson  stood  up  generously  to  their  aid,  and  advanced  a  large  sum  of 
money  to  pay  for  materials  and  labor.  The  cost  was  about  $56,000. 
Many  and  liberal  subscriptions  were  made  by  members  and  citizens 
;  generally,  but  a  large  sum,  about  $.30,000,  remained  as  a  debt.  The 
^  house  was  located  admirably  on  the  north-east  corner  of  Lombard  and 
^i^iarp  streets.     It  was  dedicated  by  Dr.  Staughton,  March,  1818. 

Mr.  Reis  was  quite  popular,  the  Church  prospered,  and  the  sum  of 
$600  for  Mr.  Richards  was  raised  readily  in.  addition  to  the  $1,300  sal- 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  35 

ary  of  the  pastor.  A  new  cemetery  lot  was  purchased  in  the  south-west- 
ern part  of  the  city,  quite  away  from  what  was  thought  likely  to  be 
built  upon,  and  the  dead  Avere  removed  thither  from  the  old  lot  on 
Front  St.  This  property  was  now  sold,  excepting  the  ground  occupied 
by  the  meeting  house.  Had  Mr.  lieis's  popularity  continued,  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Church  might  have  remained  ;  but  some  of  the  members 
became  aggrieved  with  his  public  utterances,  and  asked  for  letters  of 
dismissal,  to  form  a  new  body,  which  they  called  the  Third  Baptist 
Church.  Charges -were  brought  against  Mr.  Eeis.  His  preaching  be- 
came sarcastic  and  denunciatory.  Many  hearers  considered  themselves 
personally  abused  in  his  public  discourses.  In  the  meantime,  the  con- 
-dition  of  the  finances  became  very  embarrassing.  All  this  finally  led 
to  the  resignation  of  the  pastor  and  the  withdrawal  of  a  number  of  his 
friends,  who  constituted  themselves  as  the  Ebenezer  Baptist  Church, 
with  Mr.  Reis  in  charge. 

The  state  of  the  First  Church  was  now  discouraging — without  a  pas- 
tor, depleted  of  members,  with  expenses  ftir  exceeding  revenues,  and 
a  heavy  debt  I  Still  the  faithful  were  not  hopeless ;  they  met  weekly 
to  pray  for  a  pastor  and  for  God's  blessing.  In  May,  1821,  Eev.  John 
Finlay,  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  accepted  a  call  as  pastor  for  six  months ;  but 
remained  a  year,  and  was  then  elected  permanently.  He  however  re- 
served the  "inalienable  right  of  resigning  his  office  and  withdrawing 
his  social  relation  absolutely  and  fully,  according  to  conviction  of  du- 
ty." He  discharged  his  duties  acceptably  for  fifteen  months,  when  he 
suddenly  resigned  and  withdrew  from  the  Church.  In  response  to  a 
committee,  he  replied  that  "according  to  his  perception  of  the  present 
state  of  things,  it  was  not  possible  for  him"  to  resume  his  place.  The 
Church  however  regarded  him  as  too  valuable  a  man  to  lose,  and  he 
was  requested  to  supply  the  pulpit  at  convenience,  to  which  he  agreed. 
It  was  understood  by  the  Church  that  a  change  in  its  mode  of  govern- 
ment would  make  the  way  clear  for  Mr.  Finlay's  resumption  of  the  pas- 
torate. Accordingly,  it  was  decided  "that  four  of  their  members  shall 
be  chosen  as  ruling  elders,  on  whom,  in  conjunction  with  the  pastor, 
the  government  of  the  Church  shall  rest.  Also,  that  two  deacons  shall 
be  appointed,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  furnish  the  table  of  the  Lord, 
also  the  table  of  the  pagtor,  and  attend  to  the  necessities  of  the  poor 
saints."  The  deacons  and  clerk  now  resigned,  and  the  following  officers 
were  elected  :  Thomas  Maybury,  John  Miles,  Samuel  King  and  .Jas. 
Carnighan,  ruling  elders;  John  C.  Richards,  deacon.  A  covenant  of 
fellowship  was  signed,  and  the  new  form  of  government  approved  by 
the  members  generally.  Mr.  Finlay  resumed  charge  of  the  Church, 
the  ruling  elders  managed  its  affairs,  received  members,  exercised  dis- 
cipline, appointed  superintendents  of  the  Sunday  school,  &c. 


36  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  Church  moved  along  well,  spiritually,  but  '-the  appalling  debt"^ 
was  hanging  upon  them.  Happily,  it  was  due  mainly  to  one  individ- 
ual, who  Avas  not  only  a  member  of  the  Church  and  a  man  of  wealth, 
but  a  man  of  noble  and  generous  disposition.  The  Church  addressed 
a  letter  to  IVlr.  Wilson,  confessing  their  inability  to  raise  more  money 
than  what  was  necessary  for  current  expenses.  Mr.  Wilson,  who  had 
already  released  them  of  considerable  interest,  proposed  to  give  them  a 
lease  free  for  five  years,  and  then  renew  on  liberal  terms.  Yet  even  this 
offer  was  beyond  the  power  of  the  trustees  to  accept,  so  unpropitious 
appeared  the  future.  Mr.  Wilson  then  relinquished  any  claim  for  in- 
terest for  several  years  to  come,  and  remarked,  "Let  the  matter  remain 
in  this  state  for  the  present."  The  Church  gratefully  acknowledged 
the  favor,  and  continued  to  occupy  the  building.  This  was  in  1823. 
The  following  year  this  benefactor  died.  But  for  his  liberality  and 
that  of  his  family,  the  house  would  never  have  been  built  nor  the  debt 
finally  canceled. 

Mr.  Finlay  had  been  teaching  school  to  obtain  a  support,  as  his  sal- 
ary as  pastor  was  insufficient.  Mr.  Wilson's  action  now  enabled  the 
Church  to  pay  Mr.  Finlay  $1,500  a  year  and  secure  his  entire  time. 
They  also  started  a  sinking  fund,  toward  paying  their  great  debt.  In 
the  meantime  the  Church  was  blessed  with  evidences  of  divine  presence. 

It  is  unknown  when  the  Sunday  school  was  organized,  but  it  was 
probably  existing  in  1814.  In  1824,  the  Church  records  make  their 
first  reference  to  it,  in  stating  the  appointment  by  the  ruling  elders,  of 
Mrs.  Lucretia  E.  Clark  to  be  superintendent  of  the  female  department. 
Under  her  excellent  management  the  school  grew  in  usefulness.  Her 
heart  and  purse  were  ever  open  to  its  necessities.  The  following  reso- 
lutions were  passed  about  1827:  "Whereas,  we  have  this  day  examined 
the  book  of  accounts  which  records  the  labors  and  expenditures  of  our 
sister  Clark  and  her  coadjutors  for  the  female  Sunday  school,  therefore 
Resolved,  that  we  cannot  too  highly  approve  the  faithfulness  and  dili- 
gence of  our  sisters  engaged  in  this  noble  charity,  and  which  is  designed 
to  rescue  many  immortal  souls  from  ignorance  and  vice,  and  fit  them  to 
become  useful  in  society,  and  through  grace,  in  the  Church  of  God. 
Resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Church  be  presented  to  sister  Clark 
and  her  fellow  laborers,  bidding  them  God  speed,  and  reminding  them 
that  their  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  ]5lrs.  Clark  continued  to 
work  incessantly  in  this  field,  as  long  as  health  and  strength  would 
permit,  and  departed  with  the  harness  on,  in  July,  1872,  having  been 
superintendent  of  the  female  department  for  forty-eight  years. 

Mr.  Finlay  resigned  April  1, 1834,  having  served  thirteen  years.  He 
was  a  man  of  talent  and  learning,  an  able  preacher,  with  some  peculiar- 
ities that  detracted  from  his  usefulness,  but  on  the  whole,  his  ministry 


Maryla7id  Baptist  History.  37 

was  quite  successful.     The  Church    advanced  in   every  respect  under 
his  charge. 

Shortly  after,  the  Church  resolved  to  hold  a  '"protracted  meeting." 
Rev.  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,  of  Virginia,  Kev.  Wni.  T.  Brantly,  (the  elder,) 
and  Eev.  J.  0.  Choules,  were  invited  to  preach.  This  was  the  first 
time  Mr.  Broaddus  had  visited  Baltimore,  and  when  the  evening  came 
when  he  was  announced  to  preach,  there  was  but  a  small  attendance, 
which  did  not  please  him,  so  instead  of  preaching  at  the  hour  appointed, 
he  arose  and  remarked,  that  he  was  from  the  country,  merely  a  plain 
country  preacher,  and  did  not  know  how  to  adapt  himself  to  city  man- 
ners and  city  style  of  preaching,  and  should  not  try  to  do  so;  that  at 
home  he  sometimes  told  his  unconverted  hearers  that  they  had  no  right 
to  go  to  hell.  He  added :  "As  the  brethren  have  made  an  appointment 
for  me  to-morrow,  it  may  be  interesting  to  some  to  know  what  a  strange 
country  preacher  will  preach  about.  I  therefore  give  notice  that  I  will 
try  to  prove  from  Sci'ipture  and  reason,  that  sinners  in  the  city  have  no 
more  right  to  go  to  hell  than  sinners  in  the  country.''  He  then  im- 
mediately dismissed  the  congregation.  The  otlier  ministers  were  an- 
noyed by  this,  and  remarked  that  such  an  announcement  was  likely  to 
keep  the  people  away.  "It  can't  be  helped  now,"  said  Mr.  B.  "We'll 
see  if  they  are  so  easily  frightened."  Next  night  the  house  was  well- 
filled.  The  preaching  was  in  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Spirit. 
From  that  hour  the  meeting  was  successful.  Many  were  brought  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  some  who  had  long  been  interested  in  sal- 
vation, but  never  professed  it  openly,  came  out  on  the  Lord's  side,  and 
were  baptized.  Among  them  were  a  number  who  gave  wealtl],  talent 
and  social  influence  freely  for  the  cause,  and  remained  through  life  as 
pillars  of  the  Church.  Mr.  Broaddus  chiefly  conducted  the  meeting 
to  its  conclusion.  Brethren  Brantly  and  Choules  being  called  away, 
he  was  assisted  by  Rev.  Stephen  P.  Hill,  then  happening  to  be  present 
on  a  journey  to  the  north.  TheCliurch  was  so  deeply  impressed  with 
the  good  sense,  sound  doctrine,  laborious  zeal  and  earnest  piety  of  Mr. 
Broaddus,  that  they  gave  him  a  unanimous  call  to  become  their  pastor. 
His  Churches  in  Virginia,  however,  raised  such  serious  objections,  that 
he  declined  the  offer.  Rev.  Henry  A.  Wyer,of  Savannah,  Geo.,  was  al- 
so called,  but  his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  accept. 

A  few  months  later.  Rev.  Mr.  Hill  was  elected,  and  remained  in  the 
position  for  sixteen  years.  Though  his  ministry  was  from  the  begin- 
ning attended  with  gratifying  success,  it  was  not  unattended  with  dif- 
ficulties and  trials.  One  of  these  appeared  soon  after  the  beginning  of 
his  pastorate.  Some  of  the  members,  men  and  women  of  position  in 
•society  and  influence  in  the  Church,  had  not  only  embraced  the  peculiar 
views  of   Alexander  Campbell,  but  were  not  backward  in  propagating 


38  Mixrylaiid  Baptist  History. 

them,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  a  hirge  majority  of  the  members.  The- 
pastor,  though  a  man  of  remarkably  mild  and  amiable  disposition,  na- 
turally shrinking  from  everything  in  the  shape  of  controversy,  yet  bold 
for  the  truth,  felt  it  was  his  duty  to  meet  this  error.  He  accordingly 
prepared  and  preached  a  sermon  on  the  "New  Birth."  If  the  decision 
and  straight-forward  earnestness  of  the  pastor  did  not  reclaim  those 
"disciples,"  at  least  one  good  result  followed  :  the  disaffected  ones  im- 
mediately withdrew  and  left  the  Church  in  peace.  Among  them  wa» 
a  brother  whose  fervent  piety  and  consistent  character  made  his  depar- 
ture a  matter  of  extreme  regret.  That  man  was  Thomas  Maybury. 
Very  soon,  however,  he  found  that  the  theory  of  his  new  associates  did 
not  supply  the  spiritual  aliment  that  his  soul  required.  He  sought  an 
interview  with  his  former  pastor  and  expressed  his  desire  to  be  restored 
to  fellowship.  Some  changes  in  the  management  of  the  Church  had 
occurred  during  his  absence,  and  a  manual  had  been  printed  setting 
forth  the  new  order.  Mr.  Hill  gave  him  a  copy  to  read;  and  he  soon 
again  renewed  his  application.  Mr.  Hill  enquired  whether  the  manual 
suited  his  views.  Mr.  Maybury  replied  that  most  of  it  met  with  his 
hearty  approbation,  though  to  some  things  he  might  take  exception. 
"But,"  he  added,  "I  am  not  disposed  to  drain  at  a  gnat."  "No,"  re- 
sponded Mr.  Hill,  "not  after  having  swallowed  A.  Campbell^  The- 
good  man  was  not  offended  at  the  pun,  but  enjoyed  it.  He  was  restored 
to  the  Church,  and  to  the  day  of  his  death  remained  one  of  its  most 
efficient  members. 

It  has  been  stated  that  while  Mr.  Finlay  was  pastor,  a  radical  change- 
had  been  made  in  the  government  of  the  Church.  To  the  pastor  and 
ruling  elders  its  entire  management  had  been  given.  This  was  an  in- 
novation on  established  Baptist  usage,  and  was  now  modified.  The 
Church  decided  that  an  "executive  committee"  should  be  appointed 
annually,  to  attend  to  the  usual  detail  of  discipline,  reception,  dismis- 
sion and  exclusion  of  members,  to  report  from  time  to  time  to  the- 
Church  for  their  approval. 

The  Church  prospered  now  generally.  Among  those  baptized  by- 
Mr.  Hill  in  1835,  was  one  who  became  a  power  in  the  denomination,  as 
a  man  of  piety  and  scholarship — the  late  Prof.  Horatio  B.  Hackett.. 
Considering  his  character  and  services  as  a  translator  and  commenta- 
tor, no  small  credit  is  due  to  the  pastor  and  Church  who  brought  him 
into  our  fellowship. 

Another  event  occurred  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hill  that  cannot 
be  omitted  in  this  sketch — the  great  revival  of  1839,  under  the  labors 
of  Elder  .Jacob  Knapp.  At  that  time  the  condition  of  all  the  Baptist 
Churches  in  Baltimore  was  discouraging.  Hearing  of  Mr.  Knapp's 
success  and  ability  to  move  the  masses,  Bro.  Hill  and  Rev.  G.  F.  Adams^ 


Maryland  Baptist  History^  39 

then  pastor  of  the  Calvert  St.  Church,  jointly  invited  Mr.  Knapp  to 
hold  a  series  of  meetings  in  Baltimore.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  re- 
questing the  Church  to  procure  the  largest  hall  in  the  city  as  the  place 
of  meeting.  Our  brethren  smiled  at  the  idea  of  his  drawing  a  crowd 
greater  than  the  house  of  the  First  Church  could  conveniently  accom- 
modate, and  as  it  was  then  among  the  largest  rooms  in  the  city,  it  was 
fixed  upon  as  the  place  for  the  meeting.  Mr.  Knapp  began  his  service 
early  in  October,  1839,  and  held  three  meetings  daily  for  seven  weeks. 
It  is  generally  admitted  by  all,  that  there  never  had  been  such  religious 
excitement,  and  such  deep  and  generally  abiding  interest  on  the  subject 
of  salvation,  in  Baltimore.  In  the  mornings,  the  house  was  almost 
uniformly  well  filled.  In  the  afternoons,  the  lecture  room  was  crowded 
with  enquirers,  and  Christians  coming  to  talk  and  pray  with  them,  and 
at  nights  the  large  audience  room  was  densely  packed  with  a  deeply  in- 
terested and  attentive  mass  of  human  beings. 

Mr.  Knapp,  though  not  so  refined  as  some,  was  beyond  question  an 
earnest  and  powerful  preacher.  His  style  was  simple,  plain,  ])ointed. 
His  illustrations,  a  marked  peculiarity  of  his  efforts,  were  drawn  from 
well  known  affairs  of  every  day  life.  It  may  be  said  literally,  that  his 
word  was  "with  power."  The  immediate  result  was  the  baptism  of 
about  270  persons  who  connected  themselves  with  this  Church,  besides 
probably  as  many  more,  who  professed  faith  in  Christ  at  this  meeting, 
but  attached  themselves  to  other  Churches. 

In  more  than  one  instance  in  this  sketch,  the  crippled  condition  of 
the  finances  of  the  Church  has  been  the  subject  of  remark.  This  was 
a  source  of  anxiety  to  the  pastor.  The  overwhelming  debt  was  riglit 
in  his  way,  and  hitherto  there  had  seemed  no  prospect  of  relief.  Now 
however  there  seemed  a  little  hope.  Among  those  brought  into  fellow- 
ship during  the  revival  were  some  men  of  means  and  large  business  ex- 
perience. A  committee  was  appointed  to  devise  means  of  relief.  The 
debt  due  Mr.  Wm.  Wilson  at  his  death  was  about  $20,000.  The  accu- 
mulated interest  for  fifteen  years  now  nearly  doubled  it.  The  whole 
amount  was  now  due  to  Mr.  James  Wilson.  The  committee  waited 
upon  him,  and  after  a  full  and  frank  expression  of  the  case,  Mr.  Wil- 
son agreed  to  release  the  entire  debt  upon  the  payment  of  $15,000.  A 
subscription  was  at  once  started,  and  without  much  difficulty,  two- 
thirds  of  the  amount  was  raised.  Not  willing  to  have  so  desirable  an 
object  fail,  it  was  further  agreed  by  Mr.  Wilson  that  he  would  accept 
the  amount  raised,  and  allow  the  balance  to  remain  as  an  annual 
ground  rent  of  $300,  the  interest  of  the  $5,000  yet  due.  This  of  course 
was  a  great  relief  to  all  concerned.  It  was  equivalent  to  a  donation  of 
$25,000  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Wilson. 


40  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  trials  of  the  Church  and  pastor,  however,  were  not  over.  If  the 
debt  were  removed  or  so  reduced  to  a  manageable  amount  as  not  to  be 
a  hindrance  to  the  prosperity  of  the  body,  other  difficulties  were  in 
store.  There  was  evidently  on  the  part  of  some  a  desire  for  a  change 
of  ministry.  Mr.  Hill's  mild  and  gentle  disposition  did  not  suit  some, 
who  were  brought  in  under  the  influence  and  excitement  of  the  revival 
of  1839.  This  Mr.  Hill  perceived,  and  rather  than  be  thought  an  im- 
pedim.ent  in  the  way  of  the  Church's  prosperity,  resigned  in  December, 
1843.  The  Church,  by  a  vote  of  at  least  four  to  one,  declined  to  ac- 
cept the  resignation.  Mr.  Hill  finding  those  who  were  before  dissatis- 
fied still  of  the  same  mind,  a  few  months  later  again  offered  his  resig- 
nation. It  was  accepted.  But  when  the  time  for  an  election  drew 
near,  as  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  members  were  females,  an  eftbrt 
was  made  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Church,  to  exclude 
the  ladies  from  the  privilege  of  voting.  The  result  was  a  division  in 
the  body.  The  friends  of  Mr.  Hill,  comprising  a  large  majority  of  the 
members,  withdrew,  and  for  some  time  worshi  ped  in  a  hall.  After 
several  efforts  to  settle  the  difficulty  by  arbitration,  they  entered  suit  for 
possession  of  the  property  to  which  they  conceived  they  were  justly  en- 
titled. After  some  months  of 'Maw's  delays,"  the  case  was  decided  in 
favor  of  those  who  sided  with  Mr.  Hill.  The  others  unwilling  to  ap- 
peal, at  once  withdrew,  and  the  Church  again  took  possession  of  their 
property.     Tliose  who   withdrew   organized    the    "Seventh    Church." 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Hill  continued  until  Feb.  13,  1850,  when  he 
gave  the  Church  a  final  and  positive  resignation.  In  receiving  it,  the 
Church  renewed  their  expressions  of  esteem  for  his  character.  During 
his  ministry,  the  body  iiad  permanently  increased  in  numbers  and  in- 
fluence. Excepting  in  1839,  during  Elder  Knapp's  meeting,  the  in- 
crease was  not  rapid,  but  his  ministry  was  blessed  not  only  in  the  con- 
version of  many  souls  to  Christ,  but  in  bringing  a  number  of  talented 
men  into  the  ministry,  some  of  whom  are  passed  away,  whilst  others 
are  still  filling  spheres  of  usefulness  in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  These 
were  W.  R.  Maybiiry,  S.  Ward,  J.  A.  McKean,  Benjamin  Griffith,  C- 
H.  Parker,  W.  B.Clark,  Franklin  Wilson,  E.  W.  Pray,  J.  Grant  and 
Daniel  Gumming.    Mr.  Hill  died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Sept.  16,  1884- 

The  Church  now  called  Rev.  Thos.  S.  Malcom,  Rev.  H.  H.  Wyer, 
and  Rev.  W.  H.  Jordan,  successively,  all  of  whom  declined. 

The  Baptist  Church  at  Lynchburg,  Va.,  of  which  Rev.  John  W.  M. 
Williams  was  pastor,  were  engaged  in  erecting  a  new  meeting  house, 
and  sent  their  pastor  abroad  to  collect  funds.  He  visited  Baltimore, 
and  was  invited  to  preach  repeatedly  in  the  First  Church.  The  result 
was  a  unanimous  call  to  the  pastorate.  He  accepted  and  entered  l^pon 
his   duties  in  January,  1851.     From  the  beginning,  Bro.  Williams  has 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  4 1 

been  a  successful  pastor.  Among  bis  earliest  acts  was  tbe  baptism  of  a 
venerable  man  who  had  for  years  been  waiting,  like  thousands  of  others, 
for  something  to  occur  to  lead  him  to  a  decision.  Shortly  after,  twen- 
ty-eight others  w^ere  received  by  baptism,  and  several  by  letter. 

But  all  did  not  continue  bright.  Scarcely  a  month  elapsed,  before 
the  Church  suffered  a  bereavement  in  the  death  of  their  senior  deacon, 
Mr.  Jas.  Wilson.  He  was  a  man  of  great  moral  worth,  and  in  both  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  respects  they  felt  deeply  indebted  to  him.  He  died 
in  February,  1851,  aged  76  years,  the  only  surviving  son  of  the  vener- 
able William  Wilson,  to  whom  the  Church  was  so  deeply  obligated  in 
the  building  and  occupancy  of  their  house  of  worship.  Resolutions 
were  passed  expressive  of  their  appreciation  of  his  character.  He  was 
indeed  a  truly  good  man,  whose  counsels  were  ever  judicious,  wise  and 
practical,  who  was  liberal  to  all  good  objects,  outside  as  well  as  inside 
the  Church  of  his  choice. 

But  this  affliction  was  followed  by  a  grievous  one  of  another  charac- 
ter. There  were  some  in  the  Church  who  did  not  like  its  plan  of  gov- 
ernment, as  placing  too  much  responsibility  in  the  hands  of  the  execu- 
tive committee.  They  proposed  an  alteration  of  the  manual  to  suit 
their  views.  The  Church  by  a  large  majority  refused  to  accede  to  their 
wishes.  Feeling  themselves  aggrieved,  twenty-three  members  at  once 
withdrew  "to  seek  homes  in  other  Churches.  This  was  quite  a  severe 
blow  to  the  prosperity  of  the  First  Church,  as  some  of  the  seceders 
were  among  its  most  intelligent  and  efficient  workers,  and  it  was  left 
without  a  deacon  or  a  male  superintendent  or  teacher  in  the  Sunday 
school.  Yet  notwithstanding  this  drawback,  the  number  of  members 
soon  increased,  and  the  close  of  that  year  showed  a  net  gain  of  twenty- 
two.  Such  divisions  are  sad  events  in  the  history  of  Churches,  yet 
they  are  not  without  advantages  sometimes.  T'hey  often  serve  to  make 
those  who  remain  more  united,  and  develope  in  tl>e  others  increased 
usefulness  in  new  fields.     "Circumstances  make  men." 

The  Church  was  blessed  with  a  revival  and  accessions  the  following 
year.  The  Sunday  school  was  reorganized.  An  effort  was  also  made 
to  extinguish  their  debt,  "relying  on  the  blessing  of  God  to  sustain 
us  in  any  sacrifice  we  may  make  to  effect  a  result  so  desirable."  The 
debt  was  paid,  and  the  ground-rent  greatly  reduced.  Besides  this,  the 
house  needing  repairs  after  thirty-live  years  of  use,  -t 3,200  were  raised 
for  the  purpose.  An  organ,  the  first  in  a  Baptist  church  here,  was  ob- 
tained and  still  remains  in  use.  Together  with  |6,000  given  for  other 
Church  and  missionary  purposes,  the  expenditures  reached  $10,700. 

This  liberality  was  followed  by  a  spiritual  blessing,  resulting  in  the 
addition  of  ninety  members  during  1854.  Little  wealth  was  brought 
in,   but  the  spirit  of  liberality    was  augmented,  and  that  year,  besides 


42  Maryland  l^aptist  History. 

paying  their  expenses,  the  members  contributed  to  various  benevolent 
purposes  over  $1 1,000. 

In  1853,  a  number  of  brethren  and  sisters  of  this  Churcli  established 
a  colony  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city,  which  finally  became  known 
as  the  Lee  St.  Church. 

The  Church  and  school  continued  to  prosper  year  after  year.  Many 
children  in  the  latter,  which  was  under  the  direct  superintendence  of 
the  pastor,  trained  under  pious  teachers,  received  here  their  first  serious 
impressions  of  divine  truth,  and  became  later  among  the  most  useful 
members  of  the  Church,  Two  young  brethren,  Alfred  L.  Bond  and  I. 
F.  Stidham,  were  educated  by  the  Church  at  Columbian  College,  with 
a  view  to  the  ministry. 

Another  season  of  refreshing  visited  the  Church  in  1863,  resulting  in 
the  addition  #f  a  small  number  by  baptism,  by  letter  and  by  restoration. 
An  interesting  event  of  the  year  was  the  ordination  of  three  young 
brethren  to  the  ministry,  viz:  Alfred  L.  Bond,  J.  Q.  A.  Rohrer,  and  I. 
F.  Stidham.  The  two  former  had  consecrated  themselves  to  Foreign 
Missions.  They  completed  a  thorough  course  of  preparation  for  their 
work,  and  with  their  devoted  wives,  embarked  as  missionaries,  the  one 
for  China  and  the  other  for  Japan.  They  sailed  from  New  York,  Aug- 
ust 3,  1863,  in  the  ship  "Edwin  Forrest,"  which  has  never  b'ee.n  heard 
from,  and  was  doubtless  lost. 

For  several  years,  during  the  war  between  the  States,  while  strife  was 
prevalent  without,  there  was  no  conflict  within  the  Church.  There 
were  different  views  entertained  among  the  members  in  relation  to 
political  matters,  yet  this  subject  never  disturbed  the  minds  or  actions 
of  the  members  in  their  Church  capacity.  Peace  and  harmony  marked 
all  their  proceedings.  Candidates  were  I'eceived  and  baptized,  mem- 
bers were  received  and  dismissed  by  letter,  wholesome  discipline  was 
maintained,  without  any  reference  to  the  contending  elements  abroad. 
During  these  troublous  times,  1861  to  1865  inclusive,  134  additions 
were  made  to  the  membership.  During  1866,  there  was  a  powerful  re- 
vival; 150  were  added  to  the  Church,  of  whom  111  were  baptized — the 
year  was  one  of  unexampled  prosperity.  The  young  men  of  the  Church 
organized  among  themselves  a  "Home  Mission  Society,"  and  instituted 
a  branch  Sunday  school  in  a  destitute  portion  of  the  city. 

Bro.  Williams  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  the  Columbian  University  in  1866. 

During  four  months  in  1867,  the  pastor  was  absent  in  Europe,  when 
Rev.  Geo.  Bradford  supplied  his  pulpit  and  baptized  several  converts 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  Church. 


Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy 


45 


111  1866,  this  Church  reported  616  members;  while  in  1867,  with 
120  additions,  only  564  were  reported.  This,  when  understood,  may  be 
regarded  as  a  symptom  of  good  health  at  the  time  ;  for  in  spite  of  all 
vigilance  and  care,  "dead  heads"  will  accumulate,  and  in  this  year  a 
^'pruning  process"  took  place,  which  reduced  the  Church  to  her  true 
status  of  ''living  members." 


KIKST   BAPTIiiiT    CHURCH  — ERECTED  1817,   DEMOLISHEI)  IS'.T. 

In  the  course  of  time, the  encroachments  of  business  upon  the  streets 
within  a  half-mile  of  the  "old  First  Church"  became  so  great  as  to 
banish  a  large  portion  of  the  members  to  a  residence  in  distant  parts 
of  the  city.     This  finally  required  a  cliange  of  location. 

After  several  years  of  anxious  consideration,  the  Church  decided  to 
remove  to  Townsend  street,  near  Fremont.  They  gave  the  old  property 
(valued  at  $60,000)  and  $5,000  cash,  for  the  present  new  buildingj 
erected  expressly  for  them,  upon  a  lot  which  cost  about  $10,000  addi- 
tional. The  refitting  cost  $10,000  more.  The  old  temple  was  vacated 
May  6, 1877.  The  Church  held  services  in  the  Academy  of  Music  on 
Sunday  mornings,  and  in  the  Seventh  church  on  Thursday  evenings^ 
until  January  6,  1878,  when  they  took  possession  of  the  new  house. 
It  is  a  fine,  spacious,  marble  building,  with  modern  conveniences,  and 
accessible  from  a  large  part  of  the  city.     Wm.  H.  Marriott,  Architect. 


At  this  point  of  transition,  it  seems  appropriate  to  notice  some  of  the 
most  prominent  members  identified  with  the  old  church,  who,  like  it, 
are  now  numbered  with  the  things  that  are  past.  There  were  many 
others  whose  names  are  dear  to  memory,  but  our  space  limits  us  to  the 
mention  of  only  a  few. 

The  character  of  Mr.  Wm.  Wilson  has  already  been  referred  to.  We 
shall  simply  give  as  a  fitting  tribute  to  his  memory  the  following  para- 
graphs of  the  funeral  sermon  preached  by  his  pastor.  Rev.  John  Finlay, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  in  April,  1824. 


Erected  187S. 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


BALTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  45 

"In  him  the  Church  has  found  a  nursing  father,  (by  whose  forbear- 
ance we  continue  to  worship  in  this  house  of  prayer,)  and  a  peace- 
maker among  brethren.  In  his  death  the  poor  have  lost  a  steward,  the 
lonely  and  neglected  widow  a  husband,  and  society  at  large  a  common 
benefactor.  It  were  easy  to  multiply  illustrations  of  the  Scripture 
that  'the  liberal  man  deviseth  liberal  things.'  Suffice  it  that  you  have 
seen  hundreds  of  the  poor  weeping  for  his  loss — that  the  audience  be- 
fore me  contains  many — who  live  to  cherish  the  remembrance  of  the 
man,  whose  capital  and  counsel  furnished  the  means  of  employment 
and  the  instrument  of  success.  Suffice  it  that  all  the  institutions  which 
the  piety  of  our  times  has  erected  for  the  evangelization  of  the  world 
unite  with  the  heart  of  the  widow  and  the  face  of  the  orphan  to  say 
that  neither  piety  nor  poverty  ever  asked  and  did  not  receive.  'Blessed 
are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.'  'Inasmuch  as  ye  have 
done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto 
me.'  It  is  pleasing  and  improving  to  think  of  such  a  man;  the  recollec- 
tion refreshes  the  heart  and  gives  elasticity  to  the  soul.  We  sum  up 
the  series  by  one  general  statement — Wm.  Wilson  was  a  just  and  good 
man,  a  firm  believer  in  the  Word  of  God,  an  approved  Christian — a  fol- 
lower of  the  fishermen  of  Galilee  in  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  a 
blessing  to  society  and  an  argument  for  the  religion  of  the  Bible. 

Let  us  bless  God  for  the  gifts  he  possessed  and  the  graces  he  attained, 
and  be  admonished  that  the  proper  method  of  honoring  his  memory  is 
to  imitate  him,  as  he  copied  the  Saviour.  Would  to  God  that  his 
mantle  may  have  descended  on  some  one  of  his  natural  representatives, 
who  shall  fill  his  place  in  society  and  in  the  Church  of  the  living  God, 
and  that  in  the  long  train  of  his  descendants,  who  shall  bear  his  name 
and  be  warmed  by  his  blood,  there  may  be  a  perpetuity  of  his  virtues 
and  possession  of  his /«i/A,  yes! — Ms  precious  faitli — his  love  to  the 
Bible  and  the  brethren  of  Jesus.  Avaunt  ye  infidels!  presume  not  to 
judge  of  such  a  theme  of  purity  and  gladness,  or  else  approach  with 
tears  of  shame  and  confession  of  repentance.  Our  deceased  brother 
was  a  Christian !  He  had  no  relish  for  the  refinements  of  a  false  phil- 
osophy, which  enfeeble  the  moral  principle,  harden  the  heart  and  blight 
the  hopes  of  man.  In  him  behold  and  confess  the  worth  and  reality  of 
religion,  and  admire  the  happy  combination  of  universal  charity,  inflex- 
ible honesty,  unaflfected  humility  and  abundant  prosperity.  Be  as- 
sured it  is  the  blessing  of  God  that  maketh  rich  and  addeth  no  sorrow, 
that  a  life  of  virtue  is  a  life  of  honor  and  peace.  Approach  his  death- 
bed! His  mind  is  clear,  serene  and  resigned.  The  blood  of  Jesus  is 
his  only  trust.  With  perfect  patience  he  submits  to  the  appointment 
of  his  Lord.  The  hour  of  his  departure  has  come,  and  the  waiting  be- 
liever expires  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan.     This  is  the   first  Lord's 


46  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

day  he  is  spending  in  heaven,  his  Father's  house.  His  ears  (stopped 
so  long  by  the  hand  of  decay)  are  open  to  drink  in  the  full  chorus  of 
redeeming  love.  'Be  ye  also  ready.'  Be  followers  of  them  who  inherit 
the  promises,  that  when  your  earthly  pilgrimage  is  finished  you  may  live 
with  God  ;  and  the  survivors,  while  they  make  lamentation  over  you, 
may  be  mutually  comforted  in  applying  the  words  of  the  text.  'The 
memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.  Amen.'  " 

James  CARNiGHAivr  was  baptized  December  3,  1803,  by  Elder  Lewis 
Eichards.  He  was  a  man  of  personal  activity.  In  whatever  he  under- 
took he  worked  with  a  will.  This  was  true  in  his  secular  business,  and 
as  is  usually  the  case,  he  brought  the  same  disposition  to  bear  in  all  the 
responsibilities  of  his  religious  profession.  The  frequency  with  which 
he  was  appointed  on  important  committees,  whether  temporal  or  spirit- 
ual in  their  nature,  shows  the  confidence  the  Church  had  in  his  piety 
and  his  judgment.  The  same  is' true  in  relation  to  his  election  for  a 
series  of  years  to  the  offices  of  deacon  and  trustee.  In  the  absence  of 
the  pastor,  he  or  his  associate  deacon  Maybury  was  almost  always  ex- 
pected to  take  the  lead  of  the  meeting. 

His  regularity  of  habit,  his  strong  faith,  his  bright  hope,  his  ardent 
love,  his  abhorrence  of  wrong,  his  keen  sense  and  earnest  appreciation 
of  right,  his  sound  judgment,  all  combined  to  show  forth  in  the 
world,  the  character  of  a  good  man  and  a  devoted  Christian.  He  was 
■ever  ready  to  cooperate  with  his  brethren  in  anything  and  everything 
that  seemed  to  promise  glory  to  God  or  good  to  man.  The  successful 
protracted  meeting  in  which  Elder  Knapp  labored  has  been  mentioned. 
He  anticipated  this  meeting  with  much  interest,  and  always  in  his 
prayers  invoked  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  coming  preacher  and  his 
preaching.  But  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  answer  of  his  prayers.  He 
was  taken  just  as  the  meeting  begun,  and  departed  at  an  advanced  age, 
in  October,  1839.  His  pastor,  Eev.  Mr.  Hill,  preached  an  appro- 
priate sermon  at  his  funeral,  from  Acts  xi:  24.     "He  was  a  good  man." 

Nearly  allied  to  deacon  Carnighan  both  in  things  of  this  life  and  of 
that  which  is  to  come,  was  Thomas  Maybury.  They  were  baptized 
and  received  into  the  Church  the  same  day,  and  throughout  their  long 
Christian  career  were  ever  ready  to  cooperate  in  all  that  pertained  to 
the  welfare  of  the  Church,  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  As  men  of  busi- 
ness neither  of  these  disciples  of  Christ  occupied  a  prominent  position, 
neither  accumulated  wealth,  but  in  all  their  spiritual  interests  they 
were  preeminently  useful. 

All  who  attended  prayer  meetings  with  "father  Maybury" — as  he 
was  usually  called  among  the  brethren — bore  testimony  to  the  re- 
markable power  of  his  prayers.  He  always  not  only  seemed  himself 
conscious  of  being  in  the  very  presence  of  God,  but  by  a  holy  sympathy 


Maiyland  Baptist  History.  47 

of  which  none  present  could  divest  themselves,  he  seemed  to  carry 
those  around  him  into  that  presence.  Among  the  hundreds  of  good 
Christian  men  with  whom  the  writer  has  joined  in  prayer,  he  cannot 
recollect  one,  who  seemed  so  sublimely  conscious  of  the  immediate  pres- 
ence of  the  Almighty,  as  deacon  Maybury. 

From  the  constant  study  of  the  sacred  scriptures,  his  soul  seemed  to 
be  saturated  not  only  with  Bible  truth  but  Bible  expressions.  These 
would  often  roll  out  in  his  pra3'ers  and  exhortations  promiscuously,  and 
yet  always  so  appropriately  arranged,  as  to  remind  the  hearer  of  the  old 
prophets.  In  con versaliou,  especially  with  his  fellow  disciples,  it  was 
truly  edifying  to  witness  his  familiarity  with  the  Bible,  and  the  appro- 
priateness with  which  he  would  quote  the  sacred  word. 

He  had  for  many  years  "used  the  office  of  a  deacon  well."  Indeed 
in  all  the  relations  of  life  Mr.  Maybury  was  found  faithful,  consistent, 
zealous ;  yet  his  modest,  self-denying  humility  seemed  to  render  him  en- 
tirely unconscious  of  attainments  in  piety  beyond  the  great  mass  of  his 
fellow  disciples.  In  the  language  of  Dr.  Hill,  his  former  pastor,  in 
reference  to  his  funeral  service :  "could  he  dictate  to  me,  what  I  should 
say  on  that  occasion,  they  should  be  words  that  should  abase  the  crea- 
ture and  exalt  the  Creator,  that  there  is  no  goodness,  or  greatness,  or 
merit  in  man,  and  that  he  would  ascribe  all  that  he  was,  or  hoped  to  be, 
to  divine  mercy  alone;  for  his  spirit  was  one  of  deep  humility  and  self- 
abasement  before  God."  After  a  long  and  well  spent  life,  in  which 
eminent  wisdom  in  counsel  and  well  directed  zeal  in  the  service  of  his 
divine  Master  were  conspicious  to  all  around  him,  he  departed  in  the 
blissful  hope  of  glory  in  October,  1850.  Kev.  S.  P.  Hill,  D.  D., 
preached  his  funeral  sermon.  His  text  was  Job  iv:  16-20.  "The  best 
of  men  stand  in  need  of  mercy,"  was  the  theme  of  the  discourse. 

James  Wilson,  son  of  Wm.  Wilson,  professed  faith  in  Christ,  like 
many  others,  years  before  he  ventured  to  declare  his  hope  publicly,  in 
the  ordinance  of  baptism.  He  was  one  of  a  number  already  referred 
to,  as  having  been  brought  into  the  Church  during  the  protracted 
meeting  held  by  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,  in  1834.  Partly  by  inherit- 
ance and  partly  by  his  own  industry  he  possessed  an  ample  fortune. 
This  he  largely  used  in  quietly  and  judiciously  promoting  the  honor 
of  religion  and  the  happiness  of  those  around  him.  It  has  already 
been  stated  that  the  Church  of  which  he  was  a  member,  was  largely 
indebted  to  his  father  for  advances  made  for  their  house  of  worship. 
This  debt,  in  the  division'  of  the  estate,  fell  to  the  subject  of  these  re- 
marks. When  an  inquiry  started  as  to  how  this  indebtedness  could  be 
removed,  Mr.  Wilson,  with  a  generosity  noble  as  it  is  rare,  at  once 
agreed  to  relinquish  more  than  two-thirds  of  his  rightful  claim.  But 
for  this,  it  is  not  probable  that  to  this  day  that  debt  would   ever    have 


48  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

been  paid.  But  if  Mr.  Wilson  was  generous,  it  is  certain  that  his  hu- 
mility and  shrinking  from  ostentation  in  giving  were  quite  equal  to 
his  liberality.  Though  of  the  poor  not  a  few  were  pensioners  upon 
his  bounty,  no  one  outside  of  his  family  knew  it.  and  even  his  bene- 
ficiaries were  ignorant  of  the  hand  that  fed  them,  thus  as  literally  as 
possible  "not  letting  the  left  hand  know  what  the  right  hand  did." 
His  was  practical  Christianity. 

Joseph  B.  Thomas,  Sr.,  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  November 
5,  1807,  and  came  to  Baltimore  with  hisparents  while  yet  a  child.  He 
became  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  early  in  life,  and  led  its 
choir  for  many  years  with  a  voice  that  was  remarkable  for  its  sweetness 
and  power.  It  was  chiefly  through  his  energy  and  contribution  of  time, 
labor  and  means  that  the  organ  previously  referred  to  was  secured,  and 
which  is  still  in  use  in  the  new  church.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
mission  on  Hill  St.,  established  and  sustained  by  the  First  Church. 
He  was  j^the  leading  spirit  in  the  selection  of  the  lot,  in  erecting  the 
building  and  in  securing  funds  to  sustain  the  missionary,  Rev.  J.  H. 
Phillips,  who  became  the  first  pastor  of  the  Church  organized  there. 
When  they  removed  to  Lee  Street,  Bro.  Thomas  gave  gratuitously  much 
labor  in  erecting  the  new  house.  In  recognition  of  this,  the  Church 
presented  to  him,  publicly,  through  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  a  handsomely 
bound  copy  of  their  manual,  which  his  family  retain  as  an  honorable 
memento.  Mr.  Thomas  was  a  bricklayer,  and  contracted  for  the  erec- 
tion of  many  private  and  public  buildings  in  this  city,  among  them 
the  Leadenhall  st.  Church,  which  he  also  aided  materially  from  his  own 
pocket.  In  fact,  he  contributed  liberally  to  every  Baptist  church 
erected  in  this  State  during  his  life.  He  was  an  active  trustee  and 
deacon  of  the  First  Church  for  many  years.  His  death  occurred 
December  23,  1879,  in  his  73rd  year,  after  a  few  days'  sickness.  His 
last  audible  words  were,  "Lord  Jesus,  thy  grace  is  sufficient." 

Among  other  deceased  members  deserving  of  honorable  mention  are 
Mr.  R.  P.  Brown,  Mr.  J.  McKim  Marriott,  long  a  treasurer  of  the 
Church  ;  Benj.  G.  Fry,  a  deacon ;  Jas.  D.  Spilman,  who  led  the  choir 
for  many  years,  and  was  remarkably  active  in   every   good    work. 

Besides  Mrs.  Nelson  Clark,  already  named,  there  were  other  "hon- 
orable women,  not  a  few."  We  take  the  liberty  to  mention  several 
whose  example  was  worthy  of  all  praise. 

Mrs.  Peter  Levering  was  indeed  a  "mother  in  Israel."  Kind  in 
manner  and  in  heart,  she  looked  after  the  condition  of  the  poor  of 
the  Church,  not  merely  in  supplying  their  wants,  but  even  suggesting 
and  teaching  lessons  of  economy  by  which  many  of  their  wants  might 
be  prevented.  She  often  gave  them  herself  or  procured  from  others 
employment,  that  while  it  relieved  their  necessities,  raised  them  above 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  Ag 

the  distress  of  absolute  want.  While  thus  assisting  them  in  their  tem- 
poral matters,  she  generally  availed  herself  of  the  influence  thus  ac- 
quired to  speak  to  them  of  their  eternal  interest.  Some  who  proved 
to  be  among  the  most  devoted  members  of  the  Church  were  brought  to 
embrace  the  truth  by  her  pious  conversations. 

Mrs.  Thos.  M.  Locke  was  another  Dorcas  of  the  same  class.  Her 
mission  seemed  to  be  emphatically  among  the  poor  without  regard  to 
church  or  denomination.  As  a  member  of  the  "Indigent  Sick  Society," 
Mrs.  Locke  was  ever  on  hand,  ready  to  go  from  house  to  house  with 
supplies  of  food  and  clothing  to  distribute  with  judicious  care,  as  cir- 
cumstances seemed  to  require,  and  always  made  it  her  business  in  these 
visits  to  endeavor  to  impress  some  heavenly  truth  upon  the  minds  of 
her  beneficiaries. 

Mks.  James  Wilson  will  never  be  forgotten  by  any  who  knew  her, 
as  a  remarkable  woman.  To  a  clear  and  well-balanced  mind,  a  sin- 
gularly retentive  memory,  she  added  refined  manners  and  a  generous 
soul.  Naturally  shrinking  from  ostentation,  she  gave  largely  to  all  be- 
nevolent objects  that  commended  themselves  to  her  better  judgment. 
She  was  a  truly  Christian  woman.  To  the  missionary  work,  the  Sun- 
day school,  the  education  of  young  ministers,  her  heart  and  hand  weje 
ever  open. 

We  add  to  these,  Mrs.  E.  P.  Brown,  a  bright  example  of  conse- 
crated life  in  high  society;  Mrs.  A.  Porter,  faithful  and  benevolent; 
Miss  Eliza  M.  Wilson  and  Mrs.  Henry  Patterson,  sisters,  both 
of  ihem  life- long  friends  of  the  cause,  and  contributors  of  many  thou- 
sands of  dollars  to  the  Church,  the  Association  and  missions  generally. 
Mrs.  Joseph  B.  Thomas,  Sen.,  an  intelligent,  earnest  Christian, 
unweariedly  active  in  Church  work,  even  to  old  age.  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  J. 
Graves,  mother  of  Dr.  Kosewell  H.  Graves,  our  missionary  in  China,  re- 
markable for  her  Christian  influence,  and  also  her  daughter  Annie,  a 
consecrated  worker.  In  the  last  day,  many  will  rise  up  and  call  these 
women  "blessed." 

Dr.  Williams  made  a  second  trip  to  Europe  in  the  summer  of  1884, 
with  his  wife  and  son,  E.  Calvin  Williams,  Esq.  His  pulpit  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  H.  M.  Wharton.  The  Church  derived  benefit  from  these 
repeated  visits  abroad,  as  he  returned  with  increased  strength  to  his 
pastoral  work,  and  was  received  each  time  with  enthusiasm.  His  long 
pastorate  of  thirty-three  years  was  recently  commemorated  by  a  sermon 
which  has  been  published.  His  health  and  spirits  remain  apparently 
undiminished,  and  many  more  years  of  service  seem  to  be  awaiting  him 
It  is  but  a  just  tribute  to  add  here,  that  Dr.  Williams'  usefulness  has  been 
supplemented  greatly  by  his  wife,  Mrs.  Corinthia  E.  Williams,  who  has 


50  Maryla7id  Baptist  Histoiy. 

aided  hiin  constantly  in  Chiircli  work,  and  in  teaching  an  adnlt  class 
in  the  Sunday  school.  She  has  also  exerted  a  wide  influence  by  means  of 
"Woman's  Mission  to  Woman,"  which  she  was  greatly  instrumental  in 
establishing  among  the  southern  Churches,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
women  in  China  and  elsewhere. 

The  Church  is  prosperous  and  harmonious,  and  widening  in  influ- 
ence every  year.  The  entire  cost  of  the  church  lot  on  Townsend  street 
is  secured  by  subscription,  so  that  the  Church  may  be  considered  free 
of  debt.  Altogether,  as  we  close  this  record,  the  condition  of  the 
Church  was  never  better,  and  promises  great  good  through  an  extended 
future.  The  officers  of  the  Church  at  this  date  are  as  follows :  Dea- 
cons :  Edward  Soper,  T.  N.  Patterson,  Wm.  Miller,  Wm.  Waggner  and 
John  Nicklas.  Trustees:  T.  N.  Patterson,  Edward  Soper,  E.  Calvin 
Williams,  Joseph  Renshaw.  A.  J.  Palmer,  and  the  Pastor.  Treasurer : 
T.  N.  Patterson.     Clerk,  W.  T.  Young. 

The  officers  of  the  Sunday  school  for  1884-5  are  as  follows  :  E.  Cal- 
vin Williams,  Superintendent;  Chas.  M.  Palmer,  Assistant  Superin- 
tendent ;  J.  H.  Wilson  Marriott,  Secretary ;  Geo.  W.  Evans,  Chas.  T. 
Fleet,  Assistant  Secretaries;  George  W.  Ward,  Treasurer  ;  F.  A.  Bier- 
bower,Chorister ;  E.  D.  Durborrow,  Librarian ;  John  E.  Warner,  Al- 
bert Honeywell,  George  Warner,  William  Giles,  H.  H.  Maclellan,  A. 
A.  Ehoderick,  Assistant  Librarians  ;  Prof.  Harry  W.  Porter,  Organist. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  5 1 

1791. 
TANEYTOW^N   BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  name  of  this  Church  has  disappeared  from  our  Minutes  for 
about  ten  years,  but  it  is  necessary  in  this  connection  to  make  a  few  notes 
of  its  existence.  It  appears,  as  far  back  as  1785-90,  there  were  a  few 
Baptists  in  the  neighborhood  of  Taneytown,  among  them  a  Mr.  Chas. 
Jones,  at  whose  house  there  was  occasional  preaching  by  Rev.  John 
Davis,  Lewis  Eichards,  Wm.  Clingham,  Wm.  Parkinson  and  Absalom 
Bainbridge.  In  May,  1701,  a  Church  was  organized.  The  constituents 
were  Thomas  Jones,  Amos  Thomas  and  Ruth  his  wife,  John  Bowden 
Elizabeth  Chenowith,  Rebecca  Rial,  Isaac  Hill  and  Margaret  his  wife, 
Richard  Hill  and  Jane  his  Avife,  William  Hill  and  Mary  his  wife.  Two 
years  after,  the  Church  sent  delegates  to  a  convention  in  Frederick  to 
constitute  an  Association  for  the  Western  Shore  of  Maryland.  Their 
first  pastor  was  Rev.  Wm.  Clingham,  1797  to  1803.  The  Church  then 
remained  destitute  of  a  pastor  till  1822,  when  Edward  C  boat  was  elected. 
From  thirteen  to  thirty  members  are  reported  at  various  dates.  From 
1823  to  1827  the  feeble  flock  was  without  a  shepherd.  Eider  Thomas 
Leanian  was  pastor  from  1827  to  1834.  He  lived  more  than  twenty 
miles  from  the  Church,  and  being  entirely  blind  and  performing  his 
monthly  journeys  en  horseback,  his  ministry  was  attended  with  great 
personal  inconvenience. 

This  Church,  feeble  in  number  and  in  resources,  had  the  honor  of 
being  one  of  the  seven  that  refused  to  endorse  the  Black  Rock  resolu- 
tions in  1836,  and  withdrew  from  the  old  Baltimore  Association,  to 
become  one  of  the  constituents  of  the  Maryland  Union  Association. 

The  meeting-house  which  the  Church  had  occupied,  was  for  many 
years  standing  immediately  on  the  road,  two  miles  west  of  Taneytown. 
It  was  a  plain  log  structure,  built  by  the  neighbors,  on  a  lot  given  by 
Mr.  Thos.  Jones.  It  was  renovated  in  1836,  when  Rev.  Jos.  Mettam, 
of  Pikesville," became  their  pastor.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  years, 
when  Rev.  Adam  Baush,  Abner  Webb  and  others  supplied  them,  Mr. 
Mettam  continued  to  minister  to  them  frequently,  as  pastor  or  visitor, 
about  twenty  years.  In  1838,  our  Association  held  its  session  with 
this  Church.  The  delegates  were  cordially  received  and  very  hospi- 
tably entertained  by  the  friends  in  town  and  the  surrounding  country. 
Mr.  Mettam  baptized  a  number  during  his  ministry,  among  whom  was 
a  young  man,  Jacob  Fream,who  afterward  settled  as  a  minister  in  Vir- 
ginia.    From  1854  to  1857,  Rev.  D.  Cumming,  residing  near  Reisters- 


52  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

town,  supplied  them  once  a  month,  and  a  few  were  added  by  baptism. 
Later,  a  young  convert  named  A.  E.  Harbaugh  preached  for  a  short 
time,  till  his  death.  About  1859,  Mr.  Gumming  resumed  his  pastoral 
charge,  and  ministered  for  several  years.  In  1865  and  1866,  Rev.  J.  L. 
Lodge  is  reported  as  pastor.  From  1869  to  1874  Eev.  Joseph  Mettam 
again  filled  the  pastoral  office.  Since  then  the  Church,  which  was  al- 
ways feeble  in  membership,  seems  to  have  ceased  active  existence.  Its 
location,  out  of  town,  was  a  serious  hindrance  to  its  success.  We  have 
no  further  account  of  it. 


793- 
NANJEMOY  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

As  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  the  gospel,  as  understood  and 
practiced  by  the  Baptists,  was  introduced  into  Charles  county  in  the 
year  1790.  William  Fristoe,  Jeremiah  Moore,  Andrew  Leach  and 
Henry  Hagan,  all  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  Potomac,  were  the  first 
preachers  of  the  denomination  who  visited  that  part  of  Maryland. 
They  were  often  personally  insulted  and  abused.  Hagan  was  once 
dragged  into  the  Potomac  and  held  under  until  almost  drowned.  On 
raising  him,  his  persecutors  asked  him  if  he  "believed."  This,  they 
did  to  ridicule  the  well  known  scriptural  doctrine,  that  none  but 
"believers"  ought  to  be  baptized.  The  good  old  man,  nearly  exhausted, 
at  length  replied,  "I  believe  that  you  intend  to  drown  me."  These 
persecutions  were  borne  with  the  meekness  of  Him  "who  when  he  was 
reviled,  reviled  not  again."  As  has  ever  been  the  case,  opposition 
served  but  to  call  attention  to  the  preaching  :  the  congregations  in- 
creased and  many  hearing  the  word,  believed  and  were  baptized. 

Nanjemoy  meeting-house  is  situated  a  few  miles  north  of  the  Po- 
tomac river,  about  fifty  miles  below  Washington.  The  Church  was 
organized  in  1793,  and  joined  theKetoctin  Association, Va.  Later,  they 
withdrew  from  that  body  and  united  with  the  Columbia  Association. 
In  1837,  they  entered  the  Maryland  Union  Association.  Their  pas- 
tor. Rev.  William  I.  Chiles,  and  Wm.  P.  Flowers  were  delegates. 

For  many  years  after  their  organization,  the  Church  had  no  settled 
pastor,  and  were  entirely  dependent  for  preaching  upon  such  voluntary 
visits  as  could  be  obtained  from  brethren  elsewhere.  Among  the 
ministers  who  visited  this  little  band  were  Elders  Samuel  L.  Straughan, 
Philip  T.  Montague,  of  Essex,  Va.,  0.  B.  Brown,  of  Washington,  D.  C, 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  5  3 

Samuel  Cornelius,  of  Alexandria,  A.  H.  Bennett  of  Fauquier,  and  Geo. 
F.  Adams  of  Fredericksburg.  In  consequence  of  irregular  services, 
the  Church  became  by  deaths,  removals  and  other  causes,  much  reduced 
in  numbers  and  influence;  and  their  house  of  worship  became  much 
dilapidated.  In  1833,  Rev.  Thomas  Conduit,  of  Virginia,  came  into  the 
neighborhood  and  preached  for  the  Nanjemoy  Church.  A  wide-spread 
revival  ensued  and  many  were  added  to  the  membership.  The  meeting 
house  was  repaired  and  enlarged,  crowds  attended  the  services  and  the 
morality  of  the  entire  neighborhood  was  greatly  improved.  Places  for 
drinking  and  gambling  were  forsaken,  merchants  who  dealt  in  spirit- 
uous liquors  abandoned  the  abominable  traffic.  That  was  a  happy  day 
for  Nanjemoy.  But  on  earth,  "there's  nothing  constant  but  change." 
Not  long  after,  Mr.  Conduit  and  several  prominent  families  connected 
with  the  Church  removed  to  Alabama.  The  Church  was  again  left 
without  a  bishop.  However,  prayer-meetings  were  kept  up  and  a  Sun- 
day school  established.  After  Mr.  Conduit  had  been  absent  about  a 
year,  he  returned  with  the  intention  to  settle  with  this  Church,  but 
he  had  scarcely  got  back  and  greeted  his  flock  before  God  took  him. 
His  successor  was  Rev.  William  Isham  Chiles,  who  engaged  to  preach 
at  "Good  Hope,"  thirty  miles  below,  once  a  month,  and  continued  to 
labor  thus  for  about  ten  years,  without  any  pecuniary  compensation. 
His  health  failing  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  this  part  of  his  charge. 
During  his  ministry  at  Good  Hope,  he  baptized  a  few.  He  continued 
his  relation  with  Nanjemoy  till  1859,  when  ill  health  compelled  him 
to  resign.  He  however  continued  to  preach  as  he  was  able,  for  two  or 
three  years.  During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Chiles,  the  Church  was  blest 
with  several  seasons  of  revival,  when  many  were  added  to  them  by 
baptism.  In  these  ingatherings,  the  Church  was  enlarged  in  numbers 
and  usefulness.  It  was  atone  time  reckoned  among  the  best  and  most 
efficient  of  our  country  Churches.  In  May,  1856,  there  was  a  revival 
under  the  labors  of  Revs.  T.  W.  Greer,  pastor  of  the  Navy  Yard 
Church  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  F.  L.  Kregel  of  Baltimore.  Between 
thirty  and  forty  were  added  by  baptism.  Early  in  1857,  Rev,  Charles 
Griffin,  of  Philadelphia,  was  elected  pastor,  but  remained  only  a  short 
time.  He  baptized  four  persons.  In  August,  1858,  the  Church  held  a 
protracted  meeting,  in  which  Rev.C.  C.  Meador  and  Mr.  Chiles  labored. 
This  resulted  in  the  baptism  of  about  twenty  individuals.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1862,  the  Church  invited  Rev.  I.  F.  Stidham,  of  Baltimore  to  be- 
come their  pastor.  He  eutered  upon  his  duties  and  remained  at  his 
post  during  a  part  of  the  troublous  times  of  the  civil  war.  On  the 
Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac  was  a  depot  of  military  stores  of  the 
Government,  and  on  the  Maryland  side  an  encampment  of  troops. 
The  presence  of  these  kept  the  minds  of  the  people  in  such  a  state  that 


54  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

church  services  were  comparatively  of  little  use.  Mr.  Stidham  left  in 
1863,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Bray,  in  August,  1864.  A  few 
were  baptized,  but  many  members  having  removed  on  account  of  the 
war,  the  Church  was  numerically  smaller  than  it  had  been  for  several 
years.  He  resigned  in  1866.  In  1867,  Rev.  Wm.  I.  Chiles,  who  had 
been  their  stand-by  in  seasons  of  destitution  for  many  years,  was  again 
called  to  the  pastorate.  Another  season  of  revival  followed,  when  a  few 
were  baptized  and  added  to  the  Church.  He  continued  pastor  till  his 
death  in  April,  1874.  He  had  preached  in  Nanjemoy  for  about  thirty- 
seven  years,  and  had  baptized  about  four  hundred  persons.  Many  of 
these  were  colored  people  who  have  since  organized  a  separate  Church. 
His  wife,  who  was  Mrs.  Jane  Barnes,  to  whom  he  was  married  about  a 
year  after  his  settlement  in  Maryland,  had  died  about  1873.  He  was 
born  in  Caroline  county  Va.,  May  20,  1808.  He  professed  religion  in 
early  life  and  united  with  Burrus'  Church.  Soon  after  his  conversion, 
he  studied  for  the  ministry  under  Rev.  Robt.  Ryland. 

Rev.  Samuel  Saunders  took  charge  of  the  Church  from  1874  to  1879, 
during  which  time  there  was  a  large  number  of  accessions  by  baptism* 
Rev.  A.  J.  Ashburn  served  for  a  short  time  in  1881-2.  Rev.  G.  V. 
Board  took  charge  in  1883.  The  Church  has  shown  considerable 
prosperity  of  late,  and  is  now  in  a  healthful  condition. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  55 

1797. 

SECOND    B  APTIST   C  H  U  RCH, 

BALTIMORE. 

In  giving  an  account  of  this  Church,  we  cannot  do  better  than  begin 
with  an  extract  from  a  letter  of  their  first  and  venerable  pastor,  Elder 
John  Healy.  It  was  written  to  Rev.  Ira  M.  Allen,  and  published  in 
the  ''Baptist  Register"  for  1833,  pp.  133,  134. 

"The  origin  of  our  Church  was  as  follows:  In  the  year  1794,  three 
families  of  us,  viz:  John  Healy  and  wife,  Matthew  Hulse  and  wife, 
William  Lynes  and  wife,  all  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  England, 
which  was  called  'The  New  Connexion,'  determined  to  emigrate  to 
the  United  States  and  remain  together  as  a  religious  community. 
We  arrived  in  New  York  October  5,  and  stayed  till  February  following, 
when  we  embarked  for  Baltimore."  The  vessel  in  which  these  emi- 
grants set  sail  was  the  brig  Independence,  and  the  date  of  their  depar- 
ture July  4,  1794. 

Besides  the  above,  there  were  twelve  children  and  a  young  lady,  a  sis- 
ter of  Mrs.  Hulse,  belonging  to  the  party,  making  nineteen  persons  in 
the  "community."  Before  leaving  England,  they  had  chosen  Mr.  Healy 
as  their  minister,  and  left  the  selection  of  their  place  of  abode  entirely 
to  him.  He  fixed  upon  Baltimore  because,  as  he  more  than  once  re- 
marked, he  had  read  in  Morse's  Geography,  that  in  religion  the  people 
of  this  city  were  "Nothingarians,"*  doubtless  supposing  that  people 
of  no  decided  religious  proclivities  would  be  more  apt  to  listen  to  the 
doctrines  he  proposed  to  advance,  than  those  whose  sentiments  were 
stereotyped  in  their  minds. 

They  reached  the  city  in  the  spring  of  1795,  and  located  on  "■Fells 
Pointy  This  was  then  the  commercial  part  of  the  city,  and  bid  fair  to 
be  the  centre  of  trade  and  influence.  Mr.  Healy  gave  himself  at  once 
to  the  work  of  his  high  calling,  and  procured  the  use  of  a  sail  loft  which 
had  been  fitted  up  as  a  mission  by  the  Episcopal  Church  under  Rev. 
Dr.  Bend.  As  Dr.  Bend  held  service  there  but  once  a  month,  he  gen- 
erously ofi'ered  the  use  of  the  room  to  Mr.  Healy,  three  Sundays  in  the 
mont  hrent  free.  This  was  highly  appreciated  by  Mr.  Healy  and  his 
little  band,  from  the  contrast  which  it  presented  with  the  feelings 
usually  entertained  by  the  same  Church  toward  '"Dissenters"  in  Eng- 


*  A  singular  statement. 


56  Maryla7id  Baptist  History. 

land.  They  were  soon  encouraged  to  seek  a  larger  room  formerly  used 
as  an  armory.  It  was  above  the  '^Watch  Hoiise"  located  on  the  corner 
of  Broadway  (then  known  as  "Market  st.  on  the  Point")  and  Aliceanna 
st.  They  held  a  regular  weekly  prayer  meeting  in  this  room.  Some 
of  the  women  of  the  Church  visited  from  house  to  house,  and  invited 
their  neighbors  to  these  meetings. 

The  moral  tone  of  the  community  in  that  part  of  the  city  was  not  at 
that  time  very  high.  Large  numbers  were  emphatically  "lovers  of 
pleasure."  Low  and  groveling  vice  prevailed.  Not  only  was  intemper- 
ance quite  common,  especially  on  the  Sabbath,  but  dog-fighting,  cock- 
fighting,  gambling,  horse-racing  and  quarreling  were  the  usual  Sabbath 
pastimes;  yet  neither  the  pastor  nor  his  people  were  discouraged.  Ac- 
cording to  their  ability  they  gave  themselves  to  the  work.  Their  con- 
gregations increased  quite  encouragingly.  They  began  to  talk  of  build- 
ing a  house  of  worship  of  their  own,  but  their  pastoi  was  taken  sick, 
and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  resume  his  labors.  Li  the  mean- 
time the  congregation  he  had  gathered  was  much  scattered,  and  two 
of  the  original  members  became  disaffected  and  withdrew  entirely 
from  the  Church.  The  others  remained  faithful,  and  assisted  occasion- 
ally by  Rev.  Mr.  Richards,  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  they  not  only 
held  together,  but  were  kept  by  divine  grace.  They  thus  continued 
without  the  formality  of  organization,  for  about  two  years.  On  the 
11th  of  June,  1797,  they  held  a  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  a 
form  of  constitution,  "pledging  themselves  in  the  presence  of  God  that 
they  would  give  and  take  reproof  of  each  other,  and  endeavor  through 
grace  to  keep  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  delivered  to 
them  in  his  word."  At  the  same  meeting,  it  was  concluded  "that 
brother  John  Healy  do  preach  the  Gospel  statedly  among  us,  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  and  administer  the  ordinances  of  God  unto  us 
regularly  as  our  pastor."  In  the  same  year,  they  began,  with  a  zeal 
that  does  honor  to  their  memories,  to  build  a  house  for  God.  This  of 
course  devolved  a  great  amount  of  labor  upon  their  pastor.  On  him 
rested  the  work  of  collecting  subscriptions  for  the  object.  The  house 
was  built,  27  by  40  feet  in  size,  and  quite  plain  in  style.  It  is  still 
standing  on  the  corner  of  Bank  and  Eden  sts. 

A  severe  trial  now  came  upon  this  little  band.  Before  their  house 
was  completed,  the  yellow  fever  visited  this  part  of  the  city, and  many 
people  became  victims  of  the  fell  destroyer.  About  half  of  the  Church, 
including  every  male  member  except  the  pastor,  were  among  those  who 
died.  In  the  letter  already  quoted,  Mr.  Healy  says,  "being  the  only 
male  member  left.  I  went  through  great  tribulation,  laboring  with  my 
hands,  preaching  and  begging  to  finish  the  house."  In  this  place  the 
half  cannot  be  told.  It  was  a  time  of  public  calamity  and  much  per- 
sonal distress. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  57 

The  following  spring,  they  had  an  addition  of  three  male  members. 
One  of  these  was  Daniel  Dodge,  who  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  who 
afterward  became  pastor  of  the  Budd  street  Church,  Philadelphia. 
The  first  candidate  baptized  was  Henry  Sherwin,  March  25,  1798* 
Mr.  Healy,  however,  was  not  regularly  ordained  until  July  20,  1798' 
Rev.  Lewis  Richards  and  Rev.  John  Davis  were  solicited  to  assist,  but 
for  some  reason  neither  was  present,  and  "brethren  .Joshua  Jones  and 
John  Austin,  to  the  peace  and  comfort  of  the  Church,  attended  to  it." 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  unique  certificate  of  the  ordination: 
"We,  the  Baptized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  meeting  at  the  new  meeting- 
. house  at  ye  Point,  Baltimore,  have,  this  day,  chosen  and  ordained  Bro. 
John  Healy  as  our  Bishop,  Elder  or  Pastor.  And  in  testimony  of 
which,  we,  the  Elders  of  the  Baptist  Churches  of  the  City  of  Lincoln 
and  Bessel's  Green,  near  Seven  Oaks,  Kent,  Great  Britain,  have  affixed 
our  signatures.  Joshua  Jones,  John  Austin.  Baltimore,  July  20, 
1798.  True  copy  from  ye  original  signed  in  behalf  of  ye  Church. 
John  Juden,  Deacon." 

The  Church  continued  to  worship  in  the  Eden  street  house  till  1811. 
But  as  many  of  the  members  lived  at  a  distance,  and  could  not  therefore 
always  attend  the  regular  services,  meetings  for  prayer  and  for  preach- 
ing were  often  appointed  at  their  homes. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  Maryland  was  organized  in  this  Church* 
Doubtless  the  pastor  and  others  of  the  brethren  were  engaged  in  aiding 
this  good  work,  but  the  chief  responsibility  of  the  enterprise  devolved 
on  William  Carman,  a  Scotchman,  who,  like  many  of  his  countrymen, 
had  known  the  Scriptures  /rom  his  youth.  That  school,  except  with 
the,  variations  to  which  all  things  on  earth  are  subject,  has  continued 
to  the  present  day.  It  was  originated,  as  stated  by  different  persons, 
in  or  about  the  year  1797  or  1803.  Some  years  since,  the  oldest 
surviving  male  member  of  the  Church,  in  company  with  another  mem- 
ber of  a  sister  Church,  visited  Mr.  Hulse  and  his  wife,  who  were  con- 
stituent members  of  the  Church,  for  the  purpose  of  satisfying  them- 
selves in  regard  to  the  date  of  the  organization  of  this  school,  and  they 
were  satisfactorily  convinced  by  these  last  surviving  witnesses  that  it 
had  its  origin  as  early  as  the  year  1797.  This  school,  like  that  of 
Raikes,  began  with  hired  teachers,  the  kind-hearted  pastor  himself 
bearing  the  chief  part  of  the  expense. 

After  occupying  the  house  on  Eden  street  about  fourteen  years,  the 
Church  resolved  on  seeking  a  new  location,  and  the  meeting-house  on 
Fleet  street,  (now  Canton  Avenue)  was  built.  The  undertaking  was 
not  without  its  trials.  They  seem  not  to  have  had  much  cordial  sym- 
pathy from  the  outside  community,  and  even  some  of  their  own 
members  declineil  to  help.     The  house  was,  however,  built  and  paid  for. 


58  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  congregation  grew  larger,  and  from  time  to  time  many  were 
added  to  their  number  by  baptism  and  by  letter.  The  influence  of  the 
pastor  on  the  Church  and  of  the  members  on  each  other  was  decidedly 
conservative.  That  article  in  their  covenant  "pledging  themselves 
mutually  to  give  and  take  reproof"  was  no  unmeaning  thing.  The 
discipline  was  so  strict  that  no  act  unbecoming  a  Christian  was  long 
tolerated.  If  a  transgressor  could  not  be  reclaimed  by  kind  and 
persuasive  means,  he  was  cut  off'  as  a  useless  branch. 

An  impression  has  gone  abroad  that  this  church  was  of  an  anti-mission 
and  even  an  antinomian  stamp.  Such  was  not  the  case.  The  follow- 
ing resolution,  adopted  Peb.  27th,  1798,  shows  that  from  the  beginning 
this  Church  was  sound  in  its  views  of  the  obligations  of  Christians  in 
relation  to  the  missionary  cause:  "Resolved,  that  there  be  kept  up  a 
public  prayer  meeting  the  first  Monday  in  every  month,  for  the  express 
purpose  of  a  revival  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  over  the  whole  world." 
They  also  sent  their  pastor  as  a  delegate  to  the  meeting  in  Philadelphia, 
-at  which  the  Baptist  Triennial  Convention  was  formed.  Their  pastor 
Avas  elected  one  of  the  "Board  of  Managers"  of  that  body.  For  many 
years,  a  female  missionary  society  was  maintained  by  the  ladies  of  this 
■and  of  the  First  Church,  the  object  of  which  was  to  assist  in  the  main- 
tenance of  Kev.  Evan  Jones,  missionary  to  the  Cherokee  Indians,  in 
the  South.  This  society  contributed  in  clothing  and  money  to  that 
mission  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Jones.  Their  usual  plan  was  to  make 
up  annually  a  large  box  of  clothing  for  the  missionary's  family  and 
others.  If  this  did  not  reach  a  hundred  dollars  in  value,  the  balance 
Avas  added  in  money,  so  as  to  entitle  the  society  to  a  delegate  in  the 
Convention.  Mr.  Jones  Avas  usually  their  delegate.  He  appreciated 
the  honor  and  frequently  paid  the  society  a  visit,  sometimes  accom- 
panied by  one  of  the  converted  Indians,  generally  by  the  celebrated 
Jesse  Bushyhead,  an  earnest  and  powerful  preacher  among  his  country- 
men. 

For  several  years  after  their  organization,  the  Church  remained 
iinassociated,i)ut  in  February,  1799,  it  was  resolved  that  a  letter  be 
addressed  to  the  Baltimore  Baptist  Association  to  request  them  to 
admit  this  Church  in  their  connexion.  Their  pastor  bore  the  letter, 
and  though  he  was  kindly  received  and  invited  to  preach,  there  was 
some  opposition,  and  the  reception  was  postponed,  and  the  matter 
referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of  Elder  Davis,  Richards,  Moore  and 
Parkinson.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  action  of  the  committee,  the 
€hurch  was  not  received  into  the  Association  for  some  time.  The  con- 
sequences were  not  pleasant ;  pamphlets  were  published  on  both  sides, 
saying  things  of  each  other  that  ought  not  to  have  been  said.  But  at 
the  meeting,  October,  1807,  held  witli  Pleasant  Valley  Church,  mutual 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  59 

concessions  were  made,  and  the  Church  was  cordially  received  into  the 
Association,  and  continued  with  that  body  until  1836,  when  in  con- 
sequence of  a  resolution  passed  by  the  Association  at  Black  Rock 
Church,  declaring  non-fellowship  Avith  the  Churches  that  labored  and 
contributed  of  their  means  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  this  Church 
with  several  others  withdrew  from  that  body.  They  again  remained 
unassociated  until  1848,  when  they  were  received  into  the  Maryland 
Union,  with  which  they  still  remain  in  cordial  fellowship. 

The  Church  continued  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Healy  until 
a  few  months  before  his  death,  when  the  infirmities  of  age  compelled 
him  to  cease  from  his  labors.  His  pastorsbip  embraced  a  period  of 
nearly  fifty-four  years,  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  venerable  John 
Davis,  of  Harford  Church.  During  that  time  the  Church  was  blessed 
with  seasons  of  revival,  as  well  as  called  to  pass  through  times  of  trial 
and  depression.  One  of  these  trying  times  is  worthy  of  notice  partic- 
ularly, as  it  developed  a  striking  peculiarity  of  the  pastor.  It  was  his 
practice  occasionally  to  make  a  tour  of  the  more  destitute  portions  of 
the  State  and  labor  there  in  preaching.  On  one  of  these  occasions  he 
secured  a  Mr.  McPherson  to  supply  his  pulpit  in  his  absence.  This 
man  seems  to  have  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  to  try  and  win 
the  hearts  of  the  people  from  their  faithful  and  well  tried  pastor,  and 
supplant  him  in  the  bishopric,  and  he  well  nigh  succeeded.  As  Mr. 
Healy  was  about  to  return  home,  having  heard  nothing  of  the  matter, 
his  mind  became  disturbed  and  apprehensive  that  things  in  the  Church 
were  not  going  as  smoothly  as  Avas  to  be  desired,  and  while  pondering 
over  the  matter,  the  prayer  of  David  came  with  unusual  force  upon  his 
mind :  "0  Lord,  I  pray  thee  turn  the  counsel  of  Ahithophel  into 
foolishness.'-'  He  repeated  the  words  and  made  the  prayer  his  own. 
As  soon  as  he  reached  home,  his  daughter,  who  was  anxiously  awaiting 
his  arrival,  began  to  tell  him  about  the  difficulty  created  by  McPherson. 
"I  know  it,  I  knoAv  it,"  said  he,  "but  the  Lord  that  turned  the  counsel 
of  Ahithophel  into  foolishness,  will  bring  everything  right."  After  a 
little  time  the  trouble  disappeared.  Seldom  has  any  pastor  succeeded 
in  securing  more  permanently  the  confidence  and  the  affections  of  his 
people  than  did  "Father  Healy."  To  this  day,  when  nearly  all  of  that 
generation  have  passed  away,  his  memory  is  sacred  in  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  the  children's  children  of  those  who  through  grace  were 
brought  to  Christ  by  his  instrumentality.  Solitary  remarks  from  his 
lips,  from  time  to  time,  made  impressions  which  eternity  will  not  efface. 
One  of  his  traits  is  worthy  of  imitation  by  every  Christian  and  minister. 
So  full  was  his  heart  of  Christ,  that  whenever  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion upon  any  subject,  he  watched  his  opportunity  and  in  some  easy 
and  natural  way  introduced  the  subject  of  religion  to  gain  the  attention 


6o  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

and  sometimes  the  liearts  of  those  with  whom  he  was  conversing. 
His  wit  was  frequently  striking,  and  always  appropriate.  On  one  oc- 
casion, he  was  at  the  water's  edge,  preparing  to  baptize.  iVmong  the 
crowd  were  some  thoughtless  girls.  As  the  venerable  pastor  was  step- 
ping into  the  water,  one  of  them  turned  to  a  companion  and  remarked, 
"0, 1  would  not  go  into  that  water  for  the  world !"  Turning  his  small 
bright  eye  to  her,  he  said,  "No,  my  child,  you  would  not  for  the  world, 
but  you  would  for  Jesus."  The  reply  was  an  arrow  to  her  soul.  It  led 
her  to  Christ,  and  very  soon  the  humble  young  convert  did  "for  Jesus" 
what  the  careless  young  lady  would  not  do  for  "the  world."  Father 
Healy  was  once  summoned  as  a  witness  in  court.  After  the  trial  was 
over,  as  he  remained,  standing  among  the  spectators,  the  Judge  ap- 
proached him,  and  taking  him  kindly  by  the  hand,  said,  in  a  tone  of 
serious  inquiry,  "Mr.  Healy,  I  want  to  ask  you  a  question — What  is  the 
Gospel  ?"  "The  Gospel,  Judge,  is  a  general  jail  delivery  to  all  who  will 
accept  it,"  was  the  ready  answer. 

Although  the  members  were  mostly  poor,  and  the  debt  on  their  new 
building  was  a  serious  burden,  yet  with  systematic  regularity  they  col- 
lected small  amounts  and  paid  it.  But  the  ground  rent  remained,  and 
after  seven  years  they  determined  to  liquidate  that  also,  and  by  a  mite 
society  and  monthly  contributions  for  a  few  years,  they  purchased  the 
ground.  One  thing  that  contributed  to  the  financial  aid  of  the  Church, 
was  the  fact  that  their  pastor  not  only  did  not  depend  on  them  for  a 
support,  but  regularly  gave  of  his  slender  purse  to  the  general  fund. 
His  own  hands  ministered  to  his  necessities.  He  was  a  silk  dyer,  having 
learned  the  trade  in  his  native  land,  and  followed  it  assiduously  after 
his  settlement  here,  that  he  might  preach  the  go&^ol  freely.  This,  he 
afterwards  confessed,  was  an  error,  as  it  led  the  Church  to  a  misunder- 
standing of  their  pecuniary  obligations.  In  another  respect  his  example 
was  worthy  of  imitation  by  every  Christian  bishop  :  he  never  urged  his 
people  to  any  work  in  which  he  was  not  ready  to  engage,  and  he  illus- 
trated the  text,  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."  Finally, 
the  membership  perceived  that  their  pastor  contributed  for  religious 
purposes  more  than  his  proportion.  Besides  money  given,  his  hospital- 
ity was  shared  among  many  traveling  brethren,  whom  he  lodged.  The 
Church  therefore  decided  unanimously,  May  32,  1809,  "to  appropriate 
fifty  dollars  to  Hro.  Healy,  in  consideration  of  his  often  being  under 
the  necessity  of  receiving  strange  ministers."  The  pastor's  unwilling- 
ness to  receive  recompense  for  his  services  was  overcome  some  years 
after,  probably  through  necessity.  In  1814,  the  first  record  is  made  of 
a  compensation  for  his  services,  and  a  few  years  later,  a  systematic  con- 
tribution was  voluntarily  made  weekly  for  his  benefit. 

We  find  that  about  1813  and  later,  several  young  ministers  were 
raised  up  in  this  body.     If  Harford  Church  is  styled  the  "mother  of 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  6 1 

churches,"  this  Church  may  with  equal  propriety  be  called  the  "uiother 
of  ministers."  Care,  however,  was  exercised  in  the  licensing  of  those 
who  aspired  to  the  sacred  office.  The  records  show  that  on  one  occa- 
sion, after  patiently  hearing  a  young  brother,  "it  was  thought  not  to  be 
the  will  of  Christ  that  he  should  teach  publicly."  At  another  time,  in 
reference  to  another  candidate,  it  was  "Resolved,  that  brother  X.  be  ad- 
vised to  continue  his  reading  and  studying  of  the  Scriptures,  and  to 
attend  the  prayer  meetings  of  the  Church,  that  he  may  have  opportu- 
nity of  improving  his  gifts,  but  he  is  not  at  liberty  to  speak  in  a  public 
way  at  present."  The  Church  seemed  determined  not  to  "lay  careless 
hands  on  skulls  that  cannot  teach  and  will  not  learn."  Some,  however, 
were  approved  by  the  brethren,  who  became  men  of  power  in  their  day, 
William  Brinkett,  well  remembered  for  his  piety  and  simple  earnestness 
in  the  Master's  cause,  was  licensed  in  1830.  The  highly  esteemed  Jos. 
H.  Jones  was  ordained  at  a  meeting  of  the  old  Baltimore  Association 
in  1820,  by  request  of  this  Church.  Lawrence  Greatrake  was  ordained 
in  1822.  Bartholomew  T.  Welch  was  licensed  in  1824,  and  Jos.  Cone 
in  1820.  Spencer  H.  Cone  was  once  a  member  and  exercised  his  gifts 
in  this  Church,  but  was  licensed  to  preach  in  Washington.  Robert  A. 
Stevens,  Joseph  Trapnell,  James  Wood,  George  Keck  and  Joseph  Met- 
tam  were  all  licentiates  of  this  Church. 

During  this  entire  period,  the  Church  was  favorable  to  Missions, 
Bible  Societies,  and  Sunday  schools,  and  gave  frequent  collections  to 
these  causes. 

In  1839,  when  a  glorious  revival  took  place  under  the  preaching  of 
Elder  Jacob  Knapp,  this  Church  partook  of  its  blessings.  In  Novem- 
ber, twelve  were  baptized,  and  subsequently  many  more.  Up  to  that 
time,  the  Sunday  school  had  been  confined  to  a  small  and  inconvenient 
gnUery  at  the  end  of  the  building.  Some  of  the  new  converts  were 
persons  of  influence  in  the  community.  They  threw  themselves  into 
the  good  work  with  zeal.  The  result  was  an  enlargement  of  the  school, 
which  obliged  it  to  be  removed  from  the  gallery  to  the  main  floor,  and 
soon  this  was  well-tilled.  In  1845,  it  became  necessary  to  build  an  ad- 
dition on  the  rear,  twenty-six  by  fifty  feet,  to  be  used  as  a  school  and 
lecture  room.  The  expense  incurred  a  debt,  but  the  room  was  rented 
for  a  week-day  school,  and  this  relieved  them. 

Mr.  Healy,  though  much  enfeebled  by  age,  continued  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  his  bishopric  until  within  a  few  months  of  his  decease. 
His  whole  career  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  though  not  marked  by 
the  brilliancy  that  attracts  human  applause,  was  characterized  by  what 
to  him  and  all  righteous  persons  is  far  better,  an  humble,  consistent, 
self-denying  devotion  to  the  service  and  honor  of  his  Master.  He  de- 
parted this  life,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  on  June  17,  1848.     "O 


62  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

man,  greatly  beloved!"  He  was  the  only  pastor  of  the  Church,  and 
had  never  served  another;  and  was  anxious  to  die  in  harness.  But  his 
energies  failing,  he  found  himself  unequal  to  the  duties  of  his  station, 
and  resigned  about  six  months  before  his  death.  The  following  com- 
ments upon  his  character  were  written  by  Rev.  Dr.  B.  T.  Welch,  who 
began  his  own  eminent  ministry  under  the  teaching  of  the  deceased. 

"Whilst  Father  Healy  was  eminent  for  a  devotional  spirit,  and  was 
one  of  the  finest  models  of  Christian  character  that  I  remember  to  have 
met  with,  he  had  naturally  one  of  the  most  lovely  and  loving  of  dispo- 
sitions. One  incident  illustrative  ot  this  trait  that  came  within  my 
immediate  knowledge  I  can  never  forget.  On  my  return  to  Baltimore, 
some  time  after  I  came  to  the  North,  I  was  prompted  alike  by  filial 
duty  and  filial  love  to  call  upon  him  soon  after  my  arrival.  The  mo- 
ment I  entered  the  room  in  which  he  was  sitting,  he  sprang  from  his 
chair,  rushed  to  me,  threw  his  arms  around  my  neck,  lay  his  head  upon 
my  shoulder  and  burst  into  tears.  It  was  the  overflowing  of  one  of  the 
kindest,  warmest  hearts  that  God  ever  placed  in  a  human  bosom.  It 
is  not  easy  to  say  how  much  of  the  benevolence  that  came  out  in  his 
life  was  to  be  set  to  the  account  of  nature  and  how  much  to  that  of 
grace;  but  it  was  impossible  to  mark  the  generous  and  kindly  working 
of  his  spirit  from  day  to  day,  and  resist  the  impression  that  he  was  a 
debtor  to  both  in  a  higher  degree  than  often  falls  to  the  lot  of  humanity. 

"Father  Healy  was  far  from  being  a  popular  preacher.  His  sermons 
were  not  distinguished  for  either  the  logical  or  the  imaginative — they 
Avere  little  more  than  familiar  talks — and  yet  they  were  always  sensible, 
and  always  embodied  material  for  useful  reflection.  His  manner  as 
Avell  as  his  matter  was  characterized  by  the  utmost  simplicity,  and  uni- 
formly impressed  you  with  the  idea  that  he  was  striving  to  do  you 
good.  His  salary  was  so  small  that  he  might  almost  be  said  to  have 
rendered  his  services  gratuitously;  and  the  necessity  of  connecting 
with  his  professional  engagements  a  secular  occupation  as  a  means  of 
supporting  his  family,  no  doubt  greatly  lessened  the  force  and  attract- 
iveness of  his  public  ministrations.  In  personal  appearance,  Father 
Healy  was  a  fine  specimen  of  an  Englishman.  He  was  rather  inclined 
to  plethoric  habit.  He  had  an  intelligent  face,  a  keen  eye,  and  while 
his  countenance  readily  took  on  an  arch  expression,  it  was  always 
blazing  forth  in  a  warm  glow  of  hearty  good  will.  Though  nobody 
regarded  him  as,  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the  word,  a  great 
preacher,  yet  everybody  esteemed,  loved  and  honored  him,  and  I  ven- 
ture to  say  that  if  I  were  to  revisit  the  scene  of  his  labors,  I  should  find 
that  his  name  there  is  still  a  household  word,  and  that  with  all  the 
surviving  members  of  his  flock,  at  least,  his  memory  is  as  fragrant  as 
ever." 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  65. 

Six  montlis  after  the  death  of  Father  Healy,  the  Church  elected  a 
new  pastor.  They  chose  Rev.  George  F.  Adams,  who  had  frequently 
preached  for  them  during  Bro.  Healy's  infirm  health.  Previous  ta 
this,  however,  the  Church  adopted  some  new  rules  of  government^ 
among  which  was  one  requiring  the  pastor  to  be  elected  biennially. 
This  article  was  not  objectionable  to  Bro.  Adams,  and  he  accepted  the 
charge.  His  election  was  renewed  for  twelve  years,  and  the  relation 
continued  a  year  boyond  that  time,  with  mutual  good-will  and  cooper- 
ation. The  first  eftbrt  of  the  new  pastor  was  to  ascertain  the  names 
and  residences  of  all  the  members.  The  roll  was  found  to  be  imperfect, 
a  fault  not  uncommon  in  our  Churches.  After  some  months  of  enquiry, 
a  new  list  was  made.     Exactly  one  hundred  members  were  recorded. 

During  1849,  an  interesting  revival  occurred.  The  members  became 
more  deeply  interested  in  religious  work,  and  all  their  meetings  were 
increased  in  attendance  and  devotion.  The  Sunday  school  was  revived 
and  enlarged.  The  baptismal  waters  were  visited  frequently,  and  the 
many  new  converts,  who  gave  evidence  of  being  born  again,  were  wel- 
comed into  fellowship.  Some  of  the  Sunday  school  scholars,  Avho  were 
then  brought  into  the  Church,  are  now,  after  thirty-five  years,  among 
the  most  pious  and  efficient  members. 

The  location  of  their  house  of  worship  had  long  been  found  inconve- 
nient to  the  Church  on  two  accounts.  The  numerous  Germans  making 
their  home  in  this  city,  had  settled  largely  in  that  neighborhood,  and 
rendered  it  unsuitable  as  a  place  of  meeting  for  an  English-speaking 
congregation.  Then  the  Philadelphia  Railroad  ran  immediately  past 
the  front  of  the  building.  The  continual  passage  of  the  trains,  the 
ringing  of  bells  and  blowing  of  steam  during  worship  were  exceedingly 
annoying.  It  was  finally  resolved  to  remove  to  Broadway,  near  Pratt 
street,  their  present  location.  A  lot  was  leased,  and  a  contract  made 
for  building.  The  present  neat,  comfortable  and  convenient  edifice 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $16,600.  The  sale  of  the  old  property 
on  Canton  Avenue,  and  afterwards,  of  a  portion  of  a  burying  ground 
near  the  present  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital,  aided  largely  in  the  payment 
of  this  expense.  A  considerable  part,  however,  was  collected  by  the 
pastor  from  members  of  the  other  Baptist  Churches  in  the  city.  The 
house  is  sixty  feet  wide  and  eighty-five  feet  in  depth.  Its  corner  stone 
Avas  laid  in  1853,  and  it  was  finished  and  occupied  in  November,  1854. 
The  building  committee  consisted  of  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams,  pastor,  Geo., 
Waggner,  Wm.  M.  Johnson,  George  W.  Wolf,  Wm.  Waggner  and  John 
E.  Hardesty.  There  was  harmonious  and  earnest  cooperation  among 
all  the  members.  The  house  became  filled  with  interesting  congrega- 
tions. Revival  after  revival  followed  for  several  years,  and  many  Avere 
from  time  to  time  added  by  baptism. 


64  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

In  the  antmiiii  of  1860,  Hev,  G.  F.  Adams  resigned  the  pastorate  and 
removed  to  \'irginia.  In  April,  1861,  Rev.  A.  G.  Thomas,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, was  called,  and  accepted  the  charge.  He  was  a  young  man  of 
talent,  and  might  have  enjoyed  a  long  and  useful  service  here,  but  the 
minds  of  the  people  were  absorbed  with  the  prospect  and  afterwards 
with  the  reality  of  the  late  Civil  War,  and  the  consequent  public  ex- 
citement was  very  unfavorable  to  the  prosperity  of  all  our  Ciiurches. 
Bro.  Thomas  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  brethren,  and  bap- 
tized about  a  dozen  persons  ;  but  after  eighteen  months  he  resigned,  to 
accept  a  chaplaincy  in  a  U.  S.  army  hospital.  Eosolutions  of  respect 
to  his  character  are  entered  on  the  Church  record. 

In  April,  1863,  Rev.  A.  Latham  accepted  charge  of  the  Church,  but 
resigned,  after  a  short  service  of  four  months. 

In  December,  1863,  Rev.  E.  F.  Crane  was  invited  to  supply  the  pul- 
pit for  three  months.  A  revival  ensued  and  twenty  persons  professed 
conversion  and  were  baptized.  Mr.  Crane  was  urged  to  remain  and  was 
elected  pastor,  March  27,  1864.  For  some  years  the  Church  had  been 
receiving  aid  fi'om  the  Maryland  Union  Association.  Mr.  Crane  made 
his  acceptance  of  the  call  conditional  upon  the  discontinuance  of  this 
aid;  since  which  time  the  Church  has  been  self-sustaining.  The  min- 
istry of  Mr.  Crane  was  quite  successful,  so  much  so  that  the  Church 
twice  increased  his  salary,  besides  making  up  his  expenses  of  removal 
from  New  York.  But  in  August,  1865,  he  resigned,  to  their  great  re- 
gret, as  expressed  in  commendatory  resolutions. 

In  October,  1865,  John  W.  Taylor  was  ordained  from  this  Church,  to 
become  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Peekskill,  N.  Y. 

In  November,  1865,  Rev.  A.  J.  Huntington  was  elected  pastor,  but 
declined.  The  following  December,  Rev.  John  Berg,  so  long  and  so 
favorably  known  in  Baltimore,  was  elected  pastor,  and  at  once  entered 
upon  his  duties.  Mr.  Berg  received  a  nuniber  of  persons  by  baptism 
and  letter,  but  he  measured  the  value  of  a  Churcli  by  its  efficiency  in 
work  rather  than  by  numbers,  and  therefore  made  a  thorough  visita- 
tion of  his  membership,  and  found  it  necessary  for  the  Church  to  lop 
off  many  dead  branches.  Their  places  were  supplied,  from  time  to 
time,  by  an  equal  number  of  more  useful  members..  The  contributions 
were  also  improved  by  the  adoption  of  weekly  envelopes.  Mr.  Berg's 
administration  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  successful  ones  the 
Church  has  enjoyed.  When  the  constitutional  period  arrived  for  the 
biennial  election  of  a  pastor,  Mn  Berg  disagreed  as  to  the  propriety  of 
the  rule,  and  having  been  elected  without  mention  of  the  stipulation, 
he  declined  to  submit  to  another  election,  and  resigned,  April  32,  1868. 

Upon  this  resignation,  there  had  unhappily  arisen  such  ditferences 
and  alienation   between  the  members  as  rendered  it  necessary  to  take 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  65, 

some  corrective  measures,  which,  to  the  credit  of  all  concerned,  was 
done  immediately.  At  the  regular  business  meeting  on  the  above  date, 
Brethren  G.  G.  Tyler,  Geo.  W.  Wolf,  J.  R.  Gould,  A.  Hirshfeld  and  L. 
S.  Healy  were  appointed  to  revise  the  constitution.  On  June  4,  their 
report,  which  expunged  the  objectionable  article,  was  adopted.  The 
manual  as  revised  then,  has  been  their  rule  of  action  since. 

For  about  a  year,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  visiting  ministers.  In 
May,  1869,  Rev.  Geo.  Cooper,  of  Mass.,  was  called,  and  declined.  The 
Church  was  not  dispirited,  but  carried  forward  its  usual  work.  The 
Sunday  School,  under  charge  of  Bro.  F.W.  King,  maintained  a  consid- 
erable intei'est. 

In  September, "1869,  Rev.  Joseph  E.  Chambliss  was  elected  pastor, 
and  entered  service  the  following  month.  Shortly  after.  Rev.  A.  B. 
Earle,  Evangelist,  held  special  services  in  this  city,  and  in  common 
with  all  the  Baptist  Churches,  the  Second  was  greatly  blessed,  and 
nimierous  additions  were  made  by  baptism. 

Mr.  E.  M.  Onion,  one  of  the  new  members,  a  man  over  three-score 
years  of  age,  proposed  to  renovate  the  church  building,  if  properly 
assisted,  which  was  agreed  to,  and  the  house  was  frescoed,  painted,  car- 
peted and  upholstered,  at  acost  of  §1,119.74.  In  December,  1870,  Mr. 
Chambliss  resigned  the  pastorate ;  and  a  few  weeks  after.  Rev.  E.  IST.  Har- 
ris, of  R.  I.,  was  elected  to  fill  the  position.  The  Lord  greatly  blessed 
Bro.  Harris'  labors.  He  was  an  elderly  man,  of  imposing  personal  ap- 
pearance and  devout  character.  His  son,  Chas.  A.  Harris,  was  licensed 
to  preach  by  the  Church,  Feb.  15,  1872. 

In  1874,  the  lecture  room  was  renovated  and  reseated,  at  an  expense 
of  $793.51.  Bro.  Harris  resigned  in  April,  1874,  and  in  September, 
Rev.  G.  L.  Hunt,  of  Ct.,  was  called  to  succeed  him,' but  declined.  In 
April,  1875,  Rev.  A.  J.  Hires,  of  N.  J-.,  accepted  charge  and  sustained 
the  relation  with  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Church  until  April,  1880.  In  1872,  the  Church  sold  the  portion 
of  the  graveyard  remaining  to  them,  to  the  trustees  of  Johns  Hopkins 
Hospital,  for  $3,000,  which,  with  $1,000  otherwise  raised,  was  paid  for 
the  ground  of  the  Broadway  building,  and  disencumbered  it  of  all  debt. 

Rev.  George  W.  McCullough,  a  member  and  licentiate  of  the  High 
St.  Church,  became  pastor  of  the  Second  Church,  September  19, 1880. 
His  course  has  been  marked  by  activity  and  zeal,  resulting  in  the  pro- 
gress of  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  interior  of  the  church  edifice  has 
been  recently  remodeled,  carpeted,  decorated,  and  illuminated  with  a 
large  reflector,  and  a  hew  roof  has  been  placed  on  the  building. 

The  Church  has  in  its  long  course  of  time,  lost  hundreds  of  members 
by  death,  among  them  all  of  the  constituent  families  and  nearly  all   of 


66  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

the  second  generation  of  members.  Recently,  one  of  the  oldest  of  these 
]\rrs.  Elizabeth  Clackner,  for  sixty  years  a  member,  died  at  the  age  of 
ninety-six.  ^\q.  G.  W.  "VVoif,  who  married  a  grand-danghter  of  Father 
Healy,  preserves,  both  in  his  memory  and  in  the  old  records  written 
by  the  first  pastor,  many  interesting  reniiniscences  of  the  Church. 

The  present  organization  of  the  Churcli  is  as  follows:  Pastor,  G.  W^ 
McCullongh.  Deacons  :  Geo.  W,  Wolf,  John  A.  Hirshfeld,  P.  Andrew 
Troeger,  J.  E.  Bishop.  Clerk  :  J.  E.  Bishop.  Treasurer :  T.  W.  Swank. 
Trustees:  J.  F.  Eossiter,  P.  Samuel  Spencer,  R.  M.  J.  Harker,  Thomas^ 
Merie,  H.  T.  Wakeman. 

We  have  referred  to  the  origin  of  the  Sunday  School  of  this  Church 
in  1797,  As  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  United  States,  it  deserves  a 
more  specific  notice.  William  Carman,  its  first  superintendent,  carried 
on  his  charge  in  an  humble  and  primitive  way  until  1817.  Among 
the  first  scholars  were  John  Hulse,  George  Decker  and  John  Healy. 
From  1818  to  1832,  Deacon  Richard  Bevens,  George  Waggner,  John 
Combs  and  Joseph  H.  Jones,  (afterwards  preacher,)  acted  as  leaders  in 
the  school,  and  made  it  one  of  the  largest  and  most  useful  in  the  city. 
Martin  Peterson  was  the  next  superintendent.  He  was  considered  a 
monument  of  divine  grace.  He  learned  to  read  after  his  conversion, 
and  besides  managing  the  school  became  leader  of  the  singing.  After 
him,  for  about  twenty-five  years,  Geo.  W.  Wolf,  assisted  by  his  brother 
Elbert,  conducted  the  school,  which  grew  in  healthful  influence  and 
numbers,  until  it  filled  the  old  church  on  Canton  Avenue  and  required 
the  additional  building  that  was  erected  in  184:5.  Out  of  this  prosper- 
ity partly  grew  the  necessity  for  a  removal  to  Broadway.  F.  W.  King 
next  succeeded  to  this  charge  and  served  with  laborious  zeal  for  a  long 
term  of  years.  He  was  followed  by  Leonard  S.  Healy,  Frank  Townsend,. 
T.  W.  Swank,  and  recently,  by  J.  F.  Eossiter. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  67 

1806. 
GUNPOWDER  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  "Gunpowder  Baptist  Church,"  now  located  at  Middletown,  in 
Baltimore  County,  was  organized  at  "Tipton's  Meeting  House,"  known 
also  as  the  "Stump  Meeting  House,"  August  16,  1806.  The  ministers 
present  were  Rev.  John  Davis,  of  Harford,  and  John  IST.  Welen,  with 
some  fifty  members.  Mr.  Welen  was  chosen  pastor,  and  John  Peregoy 
deacon.  The  Church  seems  to  have  prospered  gradually,  until  it  num- 
bered nearly  a  hundred  members.  In  1815,  a  division  occurred,  and 
about  fifty  members  withdrew,  leaving  forty-nine,  as  the  record  shows, 
in  fellowship,  still  worshiping  at  the  Stump  Meeting  House.  These 
remained,  without  a  pastor,  until  1821,  when  Kev.  Thos.  Leaman  re- 
ceived a  unanimous  call  and  acted  as  pastor  and  assistant  pastor  about 
twenty  years. 

The  Church  experienced  both  prosperity  and  reverses,  increasing 
somewhat  in  numbers.  They  had  several  appointments  through  the 
country.  In  1833,  they  helped  to  build  the  Union  Meeting  House  in 
Middletown,  to  which  they  removed  in  1834,  adopting  the  title  at  that 
time  of  "Gunpowder,"  from  the  river  of  that  name. 

In  1836,  the  Church  unanimously  adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

"Whereas,  we  have  been  greatly  disappointed  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  late  convention  in  the  Navy  Yard  church  at  Washington,  and  as  we 
do  not  wish  to  take  part  with  either  of  the  conflicting  parties,  therefore 
Resolved,  That  we  will  not  consider  ourselves  any  longer  of  the  Balti- 
more Association.  And  whereas,  there  are  several  Baptist  Churches 
called  to  convene  with  the  First  Church,  Baltimore,  on  October  27th5 
1836,  with  a  view  to  organizing  a  new  Association,  therefore  Resolved' 
That  we  appoint  our  delegates  to  the  said  Convention."  The  messen- 
gers appointed  were  Rev.  Thos.  Leaman  and  Zechariah  Albin. 

The  Church  accordingly  joined  the  Maryland  Union,  and  the  next 
year  had  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  that  body  at  its  second  meeting, 
Rev.  G.  F.  Adams,  Moderator. 

During  the  latter  part  of  Bro.  Leaman's  time,  Revs.  Wm.  Laws,  G.  F, 
Adams  and  Jos.  Mettam  held  meetings  at  Middletown  and  throughout 
the  neighborhood,  resulting  in  many  conversions  and  the  addition 
of  members.  In  January,  1841,  Rev.  W.  H.  Dix  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate. He  was  young  and  newly  married.  On  the  16th  of  May,  he 
was  taken  ill  with  typhoid  pneumonia,  and  died  in  a  very  short  time, 
during  the  temporary  absence  of  his  wife.  She  met  his  corpse  in  Bal- 
.timore,  asit  was  being  conveyed  to  his  former  home  in  Virginia. 


'68  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

In  April.  1842,  Kev.  H.  J.  Chandler  took  charge  and  remained  for 
<?igbteen  months.  The  membership  numbered  one  hundred  and  thirty. 
In  1843,  fifty  of  these  took  letters  of  dismissal  and  organized  the  Forest 
Baptist  Churcb,  building  also  a  new  meeting  house.  In  September, 
1843,  Rev.  G.  F.  Adams  accepted  a  call  and  served  faithfully  for  two 
years.  He  was  succeeded  by  liev.  \"incent  Palen  for  the  same  length 
•of  time.  Subsequently,  Bro.  Chandler  was  recalled  and  served  about 
a  year.  Fn  1852,  Rev.  T.  W.  Haynes  occupied  the  pastorate,  and  re- 
mained two  years.     In  1855,  Rev.  E.  R.  Hera  followed  for  two  years. 

The  Church  had  then  become  quite  feeble,  and  has  never  since  per- 
manently recovered.  For  a  short  time  it  would  revive  and  then  fall  back 
into  lethargy.  It  has  had  a  succession  of  pastors  for  short  periods,  and 
then  for  months  and  years  had  none,  and  sustained  no  regular  worship. 
Among  those  who  filled  the  pastorate  were  the  following:  Rev.  J.Por- 
ter in  1858.  No  record  is  given  for  several  years  after  this.  In  1866, 
Rev.  M.  H.  Austin  preached  for  a  time  acceptably.  Later,  Rev.  H.  E. 
Paull,  who  remained  in  charge  for  two  years  ;  then  Rev.  J.  W.  Jones,  in 
1872-3 ;  Rev.  J.  L.  Wilhelm  in  1874 ;  Rev.  E.  B.  Parker  in  1875 ;  Rev. 
E.  B.  Walts  in  1875-6 ;  Rev.  A.  W.  Eastman,  in  1877-8,  and  after  about 
a  year,  Rev.  C.  L.  Amy,  who  took  charge  May,  1880,  and  resigned  May, 
1883.  All  these  pastors  have  been  supported  mainly  from  the  funds  of 
the  Maryland  Union  Association.  Since  the  last  date,  the  Church  has 
been  without  a  pastor,  has  but  thirty  members,  and  is  in  need  of  a  vis- 
itation of  God's  Spirit  to  preserve  it  from  dying  out. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  69. 

1821. 
ROCKVILLE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  Church  is  located  in  the  pleasant  county  seat  of  Montgomery^ 
about  sixteen  miles  west  of  Washington  City.  It  was  organized  under 
the  following  circumstances.  The  members  of  the  Church  at  Seneca 
resided  so  widely  apart  that  it  was  difficult  for  them  to  meet  together. 
There  was  also  a  difference  of  views  between  some  of  them  and  their 
pastor,  Elder  Plumer  Waters.  The  latter  was  not  only  an  uncom- 
promising opponent  of  missionary  enterprises;  but  denounced  all  wha 
sympathized  in  that  work.  The  consequence  was  that  eight  of  the 
members  withdrew  from  the  Church  and  united  in  an  organization  of 
their  own,  and  in  October,  1831,  were  recognized  as  a  regular  Baptist 
Church  by  a  council  of  ministers,  viz:  Rev.  John  Healy,  of  Baltimore,. 
Eevs.  0.  B.  Brown  and  Thomas  Barton,  of  Washington.  The  new 
Church  chose  Rev.  Jos.  H.  Jones  as  their  pastor,  with  Rev.  William 
Sedgwick,  as  assistant.  In  May,  1822,  they  were  received  into  the 
Baltimore  Association.  They  reported  eighteen  members,  having 
doubled  their  number  in  six  months. 

The  Church  at  once  began  building  a  house  of  worship  in  Rockville^ 
Meetings  in  the  meantime  were  held  in  the  Court  House  or  the 
Academy,  in  that  town,  on  Lord's  days,  and  at  private  houses  during 
the  week.  In  about  a  year  their  house  was  finished.  It  was  of  brick,, 
costing  about  $1,500.  Besides  the  pastor,  deacons  Jesse  Leach  and 
William  Janes  were  prominent  in  this  work.  In  1824,  Mr.  Sedgwick 
resigned  as  assistant  pastor  and  moved  to  Adamsville,  Ohio,  where  he 
labored  a  long  time,  and  died  at  the  age  of  fourscore  years. 

Under  Mr.  Jones,  the  Church  gradually  increased  in  numbers  and 
influence.  As  the  members  were  widely  scattered,  it  was  agreed 
among  themselves  that,  while  acknowledged  as  one  Church  in  the 
Association,  they  would  form  themselves  into  two  branches,  one  meet- 
ing in  Rockville  and  the  other  near  Poolsville,  the  former  known  as 
Longer  and  the  latter  as  Upper  Bethel.  Business  meetings  were  held 
at  each  place,  in  the  name  of  the  whole.  This  state  of  things  con- 
tinued about  ten  years,  when  (December,  ]831,)  by  mutual  agreement, 
the  upper  branch  became  a  separate  organization  under  the  name  of 
^^Bethel,"  while  the  lower  branch  assumed  the  name  of  "EockviUe.^'' 
The  latter  gradually  inci'cased  to  a  membership  of  fifty-four,  in  1834. 
For  several  years  after  this  there  seems  to  have  been  no  change  in  num- 
bers. In  184.5,  after  twenty-four  years  of  service,  Mr.  Jones  resigned 
his  })ast«rate  and  removed  to  Frederick. 


JO  Maiylaiid  luxptist  History. 

As  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Jones  was  one  of  the  constituent  members  of  this 
Church  and  its  first  pastor,  and  continued  in  that  relation  for  nearly 
a  fourth  of  a  century,  and  as  he  has  but  recently  passed  away  from 
among  us,  it  seems  proper  that  the  folJowing  notice  of  his  life  and 
character  should  be  recorded  here.  Mr.  Jones  was  of  Irish  parentage. 
His  father,  Charles  Jones,  was  a  captain  in  the  Irish  Rebellion,  for 
whose  arrest  a  reward  of  two  hundred  guineas  was  offered.  He  escaped 
and  came  to  America.  Here  he  married  Prudence  Hawkins,  a  widow, 
of  Providence,  R.  I.  He  lived  for  some  time  in  Fairfax  County,  Va., 
Avhere  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  Dec.  3,  1798.  The  family 
afterward  moved  to  Washington  City.  Joseph's  father  died  when  he 
was  about  twelve  years  of  age.  Soon  after  that  he  was  apprenticed  to 
a  silver-plater  in  Baltimore.  He  served  his  time  and  returned  to 
Washington.  When  but  a  boy,  he  became  acquainted  with  Rev.'O.  B. 
Brown,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  that  city.  Mr.  Brown  took 
much  notice  of  his  boy  friend  and  often  pronounced  a  blessing  upon 
him.  Such  attention  naturally  drew  forth  his  youthful  confidence. 
The  mutual  attachment  thus  formed  never  waned.  The  lad  was 
converted  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Brown 
and  united  with  his  Church.  He  studied  under  Rev.  Mr.  Breckenridge, 
at  Rockville  Academy,  about  a  year.  This,  with  the  little  schooling  he 
had  in  his  father's  life-time,  constituted  all  the  education  he  enjoyed. 

About  1818,  he  began  to  exercise  his  gifts  in  preaching.  Soon  after, 
the  Church  licensed  him  to  preach.  In  1821,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Clagett,  of  Montgomery  County.  He  settled  in  Rockville, 
worked  at  his  trade  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  sale  of  merchan- 
dise. But  his  heart  was  bent  on  the  ministry.  His  appointments  were 
chiefly  at  Rockville  and  Bethel,  though  he  often  went  to  Linganore 
and  Upper  Seneca.  He  was  ordained  in  1821.  After  a  few  years,  find- 
ing the  claims  of  the  ministry  pressing  upon  him,  he  gave  up  his  sec- 
ular business,  except  cultivating  a  small  farm,  and  devoted  his  time  to 
pastoral  duties.  He  served  four  Churches,  spending  one  Sunday  in 
a  month  with  each  Church.  His  field  was  generally  Rockville,  where 
he  resided,  Upper  Seneca,  distant  14  miles,  Linganore,  28  miles,  and 
Pleasant  Valley,  40  miles,  making  a  monthly  trip  of  164  miles,  besides 
frequently  attending  funerals  and  associations.  These  journeys  were 
always  performed  on  horseback,  making  an  annual  round  of  more  than 
two  thousand  miles  a  year.  After  some  years,  he  resigned  the  charge 
of  Pleasant  Valley  and  transferred  his  labors  to  Ebenezer  Church, 
Loudon  County  Va.,  to  which  he  had  been  invited.  Some  time  after- 
ward, Frederick  City  Church  was  added  to  his  field.  In  1845,  he 
resigned  his  charge  and  removed  to  Frederick.     While  living  there,  he 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  7 1 

preached  at  Barnesville,  and  after  the  close  of  the  late  Civil  War,  a 
Church  was  organized  at  that  place,  and  was  regularly  supplied  by  him, 
and  a  meeting  house  was  built  under  his  auspices. 

In  1864,  his  wife,  who  had  been  a  help-mate  in  all  his  labors  of  love, 
for  more  than  forty  years,  departed  this  life.  This  severe  trial,  with 
rather  a  delicate  state  of  health,  induced  him  to  spend  his  winters  with 
his  son,  Judge  Jones,  of  King  and  Queen  County,  Va.  Thence,  he  Avas 
called  home  to  his  Father's  house  above,  Dec.  31,  1871. 

The  peculiarity  of  his  disease  induced  much  bodily  suffering.  This 
he  bore  with  not  only  resignation,  but  cheerfulness.  He  was  a  man 
oi  strong  faitli.  He  believed  what  God  said.  Hence,  whether  it  was 
declaration,  prophecy,  threatening  or  promise,  that  was  under  consider- 
ation, he  dwelt  upon  it  with  the  earnestness  of  one  who  felt  that  he  was 
standing  by  the  truth.  He  was  a  man  of  untiring  energy.  Wherever 
a  sense  of  duty  led,  there  he  was  bound  to  go,  and  do  his  best.  He  was 
never  known  to  fail  of  meeting  his  appointments,  unless  something  be- 
yond his  control  prevented.  He  was  possessed  of  a  remarkably  kind 
heart.  On  account  of  his  great  tenacity  in  adhering  to  what  he  con- 
cientiously  believed  and  with  equal  candor  proclaimed,  some  have 
thought  him  cold  and  uncharitable.  Nothing  could  be  farther  from 
his  true  character. 

H'a  minister's  usefulness  is  to  beestimatedby  the  number  of  converts 
brought  into  the  Church,  Mr.  Jones  cannot  be  said  to  have  been  emi- 
nently successful.  His  preaching  and  conversation  seemed  more  bent 
on  instructing  and  comforting  Christians  than  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
His  preaching  was  much  after  the'  order  and  style  of  the  venerable 
Jeremiah  Moore,  whom  Semple  describes  as  "well  versed  in  Scripture, 
often  giving  lucid  explanations  of  different  passages."  His  general 
style  of  preaching  was  decidedly  Calvinistic.  Yet  he  was  practical, 
as  well  as  doctrinal.  Christian  experience  was  with  him  a  favorite 
theme.  As  a  man,  a  Christian  and  a  preacher,  his  life  was  an  ornament 
to  religion,  an  honor  to  his  country,  the  Church,  the  family  and  him- 
self. His  last  sickness  and  death-scene  were  consistent  with  his  life. 
He  was  remarkably  cheerful  even  when  suffering,  and  more  than  once 
remarked  to  those  around  him,  that  he  would  not  turn  his  hand  to 
decide  the  question  of  life  or  death.  He  was  particularly  joyful  during 
his  last  illness.     His  last  utterance  was  "Happy,  happy,  happy." 

From  1845  to  1851,  the  Church  had  no  pastor,  and  by  deaths  and 
removals  became  reduced  to  a  handful.  Occasionally,  Rev.  Dr.  Bacon 
and  Kev.  Dr.  Samson  of  Columbian  College,  and  F.  L.  Kregel,  a  licentiate 
of  the  First  Church,  Baltimore,  preached  for  them.  Still,  for  want  of 
regular  pastoral  oversight,  Zion   languished.     In  consequence  of  the 


"]2  Maryland  Baptist  /iistoi'v. 

anti-mission  resolutions  passed  by  the  "Baltimore  Association"  in  May, 
1836,  the  Church  withdrew  from  that  body  and  remained  unassociated 
for  about  thirteen  years. 

At  the  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association,  in  November,  1S49,  the 
Church  united  with  that  body.  In  their  letter,  they  represent  their 
condition  as  "a  taper  flickering  in  its  socket,  that  must  go  out  unless 
oil  be  speedily  applied."  They  add,  "We  are  anxious  to  have  the  word 
and  ordinances  regularly  administered,  and  think  there  is  great  en- 
couragement for  missionary  labor  here  and  at  other  points  around." 
Subsequent  events  proved  that  this  last  expression,  if  not  prophetic,  was 
truly  verified.  For  a  very  few  years  later,  not  only  were  out-stations 
established  and  sustained,  but  new  fields  were  formed,  planted,  culti- 
vated and  became  fruitful,  so  that  the  "taper  flickering  in  its  socket" 
became  a  burning,  shining  light.  In  the  next  letter  to  the  Association, 
they  write  more  encouragingly.  They  had  during  the  winter  and 
spring  been  regularly  supplied  with  the  preached  word  by  a  brother 
May,  from  England,  whose  labors  were  blessed  to  the  little  Church. 
The  congregation  increased  regularly  under  his  preaching.  In  1851, 
Eev.  F.  L.  Kregel  was  elected  pastor.  As  his  salary  was  limited,  he 
taught  school  to  make  up  a  support.  Soon  after.  Rev.  N.  G.  Collins, 
State  missionary,  held  a  series  of  meetings  in  Rockville,  and  four  con- 
verts were  baptized.  Mr.  Kregel  was  also  appointed  a  missionary  of 
our  Board  and  was  enabled  to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  work.  He 
was  ordained,  November  21,  1852,  and  continued  pastor  about  two 
years,  during  which  time  a  few  additions  were  made  by  baptism  and 
by  letter. 

Dr.  Samson  and  Kev.  C.  C.  Meador,  then  a  student  at  Columbian 
College,  supplied  their  pulpit  for  a  short  while.  In  February,  1855, 
Mr.  Thos.  Jones,  a  licentiate  of  the  Hereford  Church,  and  a  graduate 
of  Columbian  College,  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  He  threw  himself 
into  the  work  with  energy,  and  the  Church  was  increased  rapidly  in 
number.  At  the  school  house  since  known  as  Mount  Zion,  he  baptized 
six,  and  at  Darnestown  about  twenty.  Through  his  ministry  about 
fifty  were  added  by  baptism.  In  his  abundant  zeal, belabored  alone  in 
a  protracted  meeting  to  the  utter  prostration  of  his  physical  system, 
and  was  compelled  to  resign  in  September,  1S58.  To  this  day  his  name 
is  held  with  more  tlian  respect  among  the  people  of  his  former  charge. 

The  Church  was  again  without  a  pastor  for  about  a  year.  Mr.  J. 
W.  T.  Boothe  and  Mr.  S.  R.  White,  both  students  at  Columbian  Col- 
lege, preached  there  occasionally.  In  1859,  Mr.  White  became  their 
pastor.  The  Church  then  numbered  sixty-six  members.  During  that 
and  the  following  year,  there  was  a  revival  in  Mt.  Zion,  Darnestown  and 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  73 

Poolesville.  As  the  result,  seventy  persons  were  baptized ;  two  young 
brethren,  M.  H.  Anstin  and  J.  L.  Lodge,  were  licensed  to  preach  ;  three 
new  Churches  were  constituted — at  Darnestown,  (now  removed  to  Ger- 
raantown,)  Poolesville  and  Georgetown.  Also,  a  neat  frame  meeting 
house,  30  by  40  feet,  costing  about  $1,600  was  built  at  Mount  Zion. 
Houses  of  worship  were  built  at  Poolesville  and  Germantown.  Besides, 
they  also  renovated  and  enlarged  their  church  edifice  at  Rockville,  at  a 
cost  of  nearly  $3,000.  The  pastor  was  aided  part  of  the  time  at  all  of 
his  stations  by  Rev.  H.  G.  DeWitt,  State  Evangelist. 

For  the  last  twenty  years,  Rockville  has  been  one  of  our  best  mis- 
sionary Churches.  Three  young  ministers  have  been  raised  up  within 
her  bounds,  while  of  her  female  members  four  have  become  wives  of 
ministers.  Within  the  last  few  years,  the  Church  has  suffered  the  loss 
of  some  of  her  most  valuable  members  by  death.  Most  of  those  were 
among  the  fathers  and  mothers,  whose  counsel  and  help  we  now  sadly 
miss. 

In  1873,  Mr.  Charles  Spates,  a  deacon,  died,  and  left  to  the  Church 
his  entire  estate  valued  at  $4,000.  The  Church  declined  accepting 
the  whole  amount,  but  needing  funds  to  repair  their  house  of  worship, 
they  consented  to  receive  $1,600. 

In  September,  1880,  Rev.  S.  R.  White,  having  accepted  the  position 
of  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools  of  Montgomery  County,  resigned 
the  care  of  the  Church  after  a  pastorate  of  twenty-one  years.  He 
officiated  by  request  until  January,  1881.  During  that  period  he  had 
baptized  two  hundred  and  eighty-seven  believers,  who  became  members 
of  Baptist  Churches.  His  long  pastorate  was  not  however  a  pecuniary 
advantage,  for  he  taught  school  a  large  part  of  the  time  to  support  his 
family.  Active,  zealous  and  progressive,  he  has  impressed  a  religious 
and  educational  influence  on  the  community,  where  he  still  resides. 

In  the  fall  of  1880,  thirty-five  members  were  dismissed  by  letter,  to 
form  a  Church  at  Mt.  Zion.  which  has  now  a  membership  of  fifty-nine. 

In  1881,  Rev.  H.  E.  Hatcher,  of  Va.,  took  charge  and  continued  for 
two  years,  during  which  twelve  additions  were  made  by  baptism.  For 
a  year,  the  Church  was  without  a  pastor,  yet  still  seven  additions 
were  made  by  baptism.  In  February,  1884,  Rev.  W.  S.  0.  Thomas 
became  pastor,  since  which  date  twenty  more  persons  have  been  bap- 
tized. The  pastor  has  been  aided  in  special  meeetings  by  Rev.  W\  F. 
Kone  and  Rev.  L.  R.  Steele.  The  present  officers  of  the  Church  are: 
Pastor,  Rev.  W.  S.  0.  Thomas.  Deacons:  E.  M.  Viers,  S.  B.  Haney, 
D.  H.  Bouic,  H.  Grady,  R.  A.  Bogley.  Clerk  and  Treasurer:  D.  H. 
Bouic,  who  is  also  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  Membership 
of  the  Church  175.  In  1884,  Spencer  Cone  Jones,  son  of  the  first  pastor* 
J.  H.  Jones,  presented  a  lot  of  ground  to  the  Church,  upon  which  is 
now  erected  a  parsonage,  at  the  cost  of  $2,200. 


74  Maryland  Baptist  History 


1832. 

GOOD  HOPE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


This  Church  is  located  near  Newburg,  Charles  County,  and  was  or- 
ganized in  1832.  It  was  the  result  of  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Sam'l  L. 
Straughan,  of  Va.,  and  Rev.  Thos.  Conduit.  The  latter  acted  as  pastor, 
during  his  service  at  Nanjemoy  in  1833-35.  After  that,  Rev.  W.  I. 
Chiles  supplied  the  pulpit  frequently,  until  his  resignation  in  1859. 
At  first,  this  Church  united  with  the  Dover  Association  in  Virginia, 
but  in  1841  joined  with  the  Maryland  Union.  One  of  their  deacons, 
Sylvester  W.  femoot,  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  Nov.,  1849.  After 
his  death,  Rev.  Joseph  Mettam,  of  Pikesville,  visited  and  preached  for 
them  for  many  years.  There  was  generally  a  large  congregation  in 
iittendance  and  the  prospect  was  at  times  encouraging.  Mr.  Mettam 
baptized  quite  a  number  of  believers.  Rev.  J.  V.  Iddens  served  as  pas- 
tor in  1860.  The  prospect  soon  changed.  During  the  war  of  the  States* 
nearly  every  white  male  member  died,  and  for  some  time  the  meeting- 
house was  occupied  by  soldiers,  and  of  course  was  left  in  an  almost 
ruined  condition.  This  Church  was  never  very  large  or  infiuentiah 
yet  for  about  fifty  years,  there  has  been  a  little  light  steadily  burning 
there.  A  few  faithful  women  have  always  remained  steadfast  in  the 
darkest  hour. 

About  1870,  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  there  under  the  super- 
inlendance  of  Mr.  R.  Price.  For  three  years  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
Rev.  S.  Saunders,  monthly. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Graves  served  this  field  during  1880-81,  during  which 
time,  a  neat  substantial  house  of  worship  was  built.  In  1883,  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  L.  Lodge  and  Rev.  J.  B.  English  held  a  protracted  meeting  there, 
resulting  in  several  conversions.  Since  then,  this  body  has  had  occa- 
sional preaching  and  irregular  service.  Its  membership  is  now  reduced 
to  forty.  If  an  efibrt  were  made  by  the  people,  and  an  earnest  pastor 
should  take  charge  of  the  work  there,  the  Church  would  revive  and 
<]oubtless  become  quite  influential  in  that   part  of  the  country. 

The  officers  of  the  Church  are  as  follows:  Deacons:  J.  T.  Dutton, 
also  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school;  and  J.  T.F.  Wingate,  also 
Treasurer.     Clerk,  J.  E.  Simpson. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  75 


1835- 

HIGH    STREET  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 

This  Church  owes  its  origin  to  the  christian  zeal  of  two  brothers, 
William  and  James  C.  Crane,  who  for  many  years  carried  on  the  leather 
business  in  Richmond,  Va.  They  opened  a  branch  house  in  Baltimore 
about  1834.  W.  Crane  removed  here  shortly  afterward  with  his  family- 
His  heart  was  grieved  at  the  slow  advance  of  Baptist  principles  in  this 
Citv,  as  there  were  only  four  Churches  then  here,  and  he  set  to  work 
to  organize  another.  He  bought  a  meeting  house  on  Calvert  street* 
near  Saratoga,  which  at  that  time  was  held  for  sale  by  a  private  indi- 
vidual, for  which  he  paid  $4,000,  subject  to  a  ground  rent  of  $204  a  year. 
Mr.  Crane  had  made  up  his  mind  to  hold  this  property,  and  besides  the 
annual  ground  rent,  to  bear  the  expenses  of  maintaining  the  cause 
there,  for  ten  years  at  least,  hoping  by  that  time,  a  self-sustaining 
Church  would  be  raised  up.  This  purchase  was  effected  in  August, 
1834.  During  that  autumn  and  the  next  winter,  he  and  his  family 
attended  worship  at  the  First  Church,  then  under  the  care  of  Rev.  S. 
P.  Hill.  In  the  meantime,  he  was  making  inquiry  personally  and  by 
correspondence,  for  a  suitable  coadjutor  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel. 
The  result  was  that  in  the  January  following,  Rev.  Joseph  G.  Binney, 
who  afterward  went  as  a  missionary  to  Burmah,  was  fixed  upon  as  a 
suitable  man  to  lead  in  the  new  enterprise.  Here  was  ths  pastor  and 
here  was  the  meeting  house,  but  where  were  the  members  ?  Upon  in- 
quiry, it  was  ascertained  that  there  were  ten  individuals  willing  to 
unite  in  the  new  organization,  not  one  of  them  a  citizen  of  Baltimore. 
These  were  Mr.  Binney  and  his  wife,  Mr.  Crane  and  his  wife  and  four 
of  his  children,  Mrs.  Sarah  Justis  and  Mrs.  Maria  Davis,  both  widows. 

A  Church  covenant  was  adopted  by  the  constituents,  and  a  number 
of  ministers  were  invited  to  recognize  them  as  a  Church,  This  council 
consisted  of  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Broaddus,  Rev.  John  Kerr,  Rev.  James  B. 
Taylor,  all  from  Va.,  and  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill,  of  Baltimore.  The  ministers 
spent  several  days  in  the  city,  and  preached  for  the  new  Church.  They 
were  gratified  by  the  accession  of  several  new  members,  in  the  persons 
of  Rev.  William  Richards,  his  wife  and  some  of  his  children,  who  had 
recently  moved  to  the  city.  Mr.  Binney,  though  a  good  and  able  man? 
not  seeing  the  Church  prosper  as  he  wished,  resigned  after  a  brief 
pastorate  of  four  months.     During  that  time,  one  was  received  by  bap- 


76  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

tism  and  eight  by  letter.  The  candidate  baptized  was  a  Jewess,  Miss 
Cohen,  formerly  of  Richmond.  For  several  months,  Mr.  Richards  and 
snch  other  supplies  as  could  be  obtained,  kept  up  the  services  on  the 
Lord's  day,  and  a  prayer  meeting  during  the  week.  Simultaneously 
with  the  constitution  of  the  Church,  a  Sunday  school  had  been  formed 
and  was  held  twice  every  Sunday.  It  was,  however  small,  consisting, 
of  few  besides  the  families  of  the  members  of  the  Church.  Yet  dis- 
couraging as  things  seemed  to  be,  they  were  not  without  some  additions 
to  cheer  and  comfort.  Three  persons  were  baptized,  and  four  received  by 
letter,  while  there  was  no  pastor. 

In  January,  1836,  Rev.  G.  F.  Adams  was  invited  to  take  charge  of 
the  Church,  which  now  numbered  fifteen  members;  and  very  few  be- 
side the  members  attended  the  services.  The  prospect  of  building  up 
a  self-sustaining  interest  seemed  to  be  discouraging.  The  occasional 
presence  of  strangers  however  was  noticed.  During  the  first  year,  four 
were  baptized  and  nine  received  by  letter.  Early  in  1837,  Mr.  J.  C. 
Crane  removed  to  Baltimore  and  identified  himself  with  the  new 
interest.  He  at  once  threw  his  soul  into  the  Sunday  school  and  prayer 
meetings,  and  gave  interest  to  the  cause  generally.  Soon  a  brighter 
state  of  things  appeared.  A  number  of  strangers,  Baptists  from  abroad, 
wliose  business  brought  them  to  the  city,  presented  letters  and  were 
received;  a  few  also  joined  from  the  Churches  in  thecity,  and  occasion- 
ally one  was  baptized.  As  the  congregation  and  Church  increased,  so 
did  the  Sunday  school.  Thus  the  course  of  affairs  slowiy  prospered, 
till  1839,  a  year  ever  memorable  in  the  history  of  the  Baptists  in  Balti- 
more. This  Church  reported  that  year  a  membership  of  fifty-one,  a 
net  increase  of  seventeen  during  the  year.  Just  at  the  time  of  the  an- 
nual meeting  of  the  Association  at  Nanjemoy,  the  celebrated  Elder 
Jacob  Knapp  began  a  protracted  meeting  in  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
of  which  a  mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  that  Church. 

For  some  weeks  previous  to  Mr.  Knapp's  visit,  there  had  been  quite 
an  interest  manifested  in  the  Calvert  street  Church,  so  that  Mr.  Crane 
determined  to  make  considerable  improvement  in  the  house.  The 
basement  was  enlarged  and  made  comfortable  for  the  Sunday  school. 
Gas  was  introduced;  galleries  and  a  baptistery  were  added.  This  was 
the  first  baptistery  ever  known  in  the  city.  This  work  was  just  com- 
pleted as  Mr.  Knapp  was  about  closing  his  meeting  at  the  First  Church. 
He  held  one  meeting  in  the  Calvert  street  house,  which  was  crowded  to 
its  utmost  capacity,  and  the  stillness  of  the  grave,  save  only  the 
preacher's  voice,  pervaded  the  whole  congregation.  Already  about 
twenty  had  been  baptized  at  the  Spring  Gardens,  having  been  received 
as  candidates  in  Calvert  street  Church.  But  now  that  a  baptistery  was 
prepared  in  the  house,  there  was  no  necessity  of  going  such  a  distance. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  77 

A  baptism  in  a  church,  at  that  time,  was  a  novelty  in  Baltimore,  and 
attracted  many.  Some  came  no  doubt  from  mere  curiosity,  and  some 
even  for  amusement.  In  more  than  one  case  it  was  true,  that  "Fools 
who  came  to  laugh  remained  to  pray."  The  good  work  continued  for 
about  two  years.  The  Church,  at  the  Association  in  1840,  reported 
additions  by  baptism  157,  by  letter  23,  making  180.  In  1841,  there 
were  62  received  by  baptism  and  12  by  letter,  again  of  254  in  two  years. 

As  the  Church  was  now  strong  enough  in  numbers  to  be  independ- 
ent of  the  two  individuals  who  liad  borne  the  burden  of  its  expenses, 
Mr.  Crane  offered  to  transfer  the  property  to  the  Church,  subject  only 
to  its  annual  ground-rent  of  $204,  and  the  amount  recently  expended 
for  improvements,  agreeing  to  donate  $4,000,  the  original  purchase 
money.  This  generous  proposal  was  consistent  with  his  object  in  the 
beginning  of  the  enterprise,  and  the  offer  was  accepted.  The  Church 
appointed  as  trustees,  Wm.  Crane,  J.  C.  Crane,  Edward  Cockey,  T.  M. 
Ward,  John  B.  Moody,  A.  J.  Hampson,  W.  Smith,  G.  S.  Eichelberger, 
Samuel  S.  Addison,  Jas.  B.  White. 

In  1842,  the  Church  received  47  accessions,  by  baptism  and  letter. 
At  the  close  of  that  year,  the  Association  desiring  a  suitable  man  as 
State  Missionary,  Bro.  Adams  was  induced  to  accept  the  important  po- 
sition, and  resigned  his  charge  of  the  Calvert  Street  Church.  For  six 
months,  the  congregation  suffered  for  lack  of  pastoral  oversight.  In 
July,  1843,  Kev.  Jonathan  Aldrich  was  unanimously  elected,  pastor, 
and  accepted  charge.  A  revival,  chiefly  in  the  Sunday  school,  occurred 
soon  after. 

In  May,  1844.  it  was  found  impracticable  for  the  Church  to  carry 
out  the  terms  of  its  contract  with  Mr.  Crane  for  the  purchase  of  the 
building  they  occupied.  They  decided  consequently  to  seek  another 
location,  and  rented  a  small  vacant  chapel  on  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Bal- 
timore and  Exeter  streets,  familiarly  known  then  as  the  "Hargrove 
church."  Measures  were  at  once  taken  to  build  a  new  house.  A  lot 
was  secured  on  High  Street,  and  the  present  edifice  erected.  The  corner 
stone  was  laid  Sept.  10,  1844,  and  the  building  occupied  in  November, 
1845.  The  Church  then  assumed  its  present  title.  Prospects  were  fa- 
vorable for  success,  but  the  debt  they  had  incurred  in  this  undertaking 
soon  embarrassed  them.  The  pastor  had  hoped  to  collect  considerable 
money  from  his  friends  in  the  North,  but  failed,  and  the  membership 
being  mostly  poor,  were  entirely  unable  to  meet  their  indebtedness  and 
even  their  current  expenses.  The  house  had  cost  $17,000,  of  which 
$13,000  was  unpaid,  under  interest.  The  other  Churches  sympathized 
with  their  impecunious  brethren,  but  were  unable  to  relieve  them. 
Discouraged  in  all  his  efforts,  Mr.  Aldrich  resigned  in  1846.  During 
his  service,  he  had  received  49  members  by  baptism  and  55  by  letter. 


78  Marylajid  Baptist  History. 

Here  now  was  a  Church,  with  considerable  faith  and  vigor,  but  poor 
in  money,  overwhelmed  with  debt  and  without  a  pastor.  After  various 
efforts  to  obtain  relief,  and  the  calling  of  a  council  of  Churches  for  aid 
and  advice,  an  arrangement  was  made  leading  to  a  gradual  improve- 
ment in  their  circumstances.  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson  was  unanimously 
elected  pastor,  and  accepted  the  charge,  with  the  understanding  that 
the  Church  should  make  a  vigorous  effort  to  collect  funds  for  the  ex- 
tinguishment of  the  debt,  and  he  relinquishing  his  entire  salary  to  the 
same  object.  The  creditors  generously  agreed  to  wait.  Bro.  Wilson's 
pastorate  began  April  11,  1847,  with  the  debt  then  reduced  to  $11,000. 
In  November,  1850,  he  was  compelled  to  resign,  on  account  of  the  loss 
of  his  voice.  He  continued  to  preach  occasionally,  as  his  health  would 
permit.  During  his  pastorate,  97  persons  were  received  by  baptism  and 
69  by  letter ;  and  nearly  half  of  the  debt  was  paid.  Encouraged  by  this 
liberal  arrangement  and  lightened  of  so  much  of  their  burden,  the 
Church  became  more  interested  in  spiritual  matters,  a  revival  ensued, 
under  the  preaching  of  Eev.  H.  J.  Chandler,  who  supplied  the  pulpit 
during  the  winter  of  1850,  and  fifty  souls  were  added  to  their  number 
by  baptism.  Mr.  Chandler  was  elected  to  the  assistant  pastorship  of 
the  Church,  Mr.  Wilson  still  preaching  when  able,  and  this  joint  oc- 
cupancy continued  until  October,  1852,  when  Mr.  Chandler  resigned 
and  Mr.  Wilson  ceased  altogether.  In  the  meantime,  by  earnest  indi- 
vidual effort,  the  debt  had  been  further  reduced  to  about  $3,000. 

During  Mr.  Wilson's  pastorate,  the  following  converts  were  baptized 
into  the  fellowship  of  this  Church :  John  Wesley  Taylor,  Thomas  C. 
Gessford,  Charles  Thompson,  and  soon  afterwards  J.  B.  T.  Patterson  ; 
all  of  whom  afterward  became  ministers. 

In  June,  1853,  Rev.  John  Berg  accepted  the  pastorate.  Mr.  Berg 
was  faithful  and  successful  in  all  his  duties.  !Some  useful  members 
were  gathered  in,  and  those  who  had  become  useless  were  excluded. 
After  nearly  two  years,  he  resigned,  on  account  of  a  new  rule  of  the 
Church  requiring  the  annual  election  of  a  pastor. 

Rev.  E.  S.  Dulin,  of  Missouri,  who  had  been  licensed  by  this  Church 
some  years  "before,  was  now  called  to  the  pulpit,  but  declined. 

In  June,  1855,  Rev.  L.  W.  Seeley,  of  Kentucky,  was  unanimously 
elected,  and  entered  the  pastorate  in  the  following  September.  During 
the  interval,  the  church  building  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  painted. 
Early  the  following  year,  a  revival  occurred,  which  continued  many 
months,  and  resulted  in  numerous  conversions.  Mr.  Seeley  resigned 
Sept.  34,1857,  having  received  35  converts  by  baptism  and  20  by  letter. 

For  some  months,  the  finances  of  the  Church  were  so  inadequate  to 
their  duty  and  work,  that  they  hesitated  to  call  a  pastor,  but  a  healthy 
reaction  set  in,  and  Rev.  E.  R.  Hera,  of  Baltimore  County,  was  invited 


Alary  land  Baptist  History.  79 

and  took  charge,  Jan.  1,  1858.  Seldom  has  a  pastor  entered  his  field 
with  greater  tokens  of  favor  than  those  shown  to  Mr.  Hera.  He  was 
also  popular  with  other  Churches,  one  of  which  called  him,  uusucess- 
fully,  in  1859.  The  cause  prospered  and  Zion  was  hopeful.  In  the 
year  just  named,  rumors  of  personal  imprudence  and  indiscretions  af- 
fected Mr.  Hera's  character,  so  as  to  impair  his  influence  with  a  ma- 
jority of  his  congregation.  After  a  report  of  censure  had  been  passed 
by  the  Church,  he  resigned,  in  October,  1859.  About  fifty  members,^ 
taking  side  with  Mr.  Hera,  withdrew  also,  and  with  him,  organized 
another  body,  which  was,  however,  of  short  duration.  Mr.  Hera  took 
the  position  of  army  chaplain  in  1861,  and  removed  to  the  West. 

In  January,  1860,  Eev.  George  P.  Nice  was  elected  pastor.  Consid- 
ering the  recent  disruption  of  the  Church,  immediate  prosperity  was 
not  expected,  but  the  faithful  labors  of  the  preacher  and  people  were 
blessed.  Some  were  restored  to  membership,  others  added  by  baptism,, 
and  a  revival  during  the  ensuing  months  caused  a  total  increase  of 
thirty.  Among  them  was  J.  T.  Beckley,  a  youth,  who,  after  a  collegiate 
education,  became  co-pastor  with  Dr.  E.  H.  Neale,  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  Boston,  Mass.  Thence  he  removed  to  Newburyport,  and  after 
a  successful  pastorate,  was  called  to  the  Beth  Eden  Church,  Philadel- 
phia. Also,  Geo.  W.  McCullough,  who  was  educated  for  the  ministry, 
served  a  Church  in  Massachusetts,  and  is  now  the  efficient  pastor  of 
the  Second  Church  in  this  city.  Henry  Taylor  and  F.  A.  Mitchell,  af- 
terwards deacons,  entered  our  fellowship  at  that  time.  J.  W.  T.  Boothe, 
a  young  member,  was  ordained  to  the  ministry.  After  useful  pastorates 
in  the  States  of  New  York  and  Indiana,  he  is  now  serving  a  large 
Church  in  Philadelphia.  Then  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  and  all  the 
pleasant  prospect  was  beclouded.  The  membership  sympathized  on 
opposite  sides  of  the  contest.  But  the  prudent  and  discreet  course  of 
the  pastor  tended  greatly  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  the  organization 
through  that  trying  ordeal.  L)nring  the  War,  in  response  to  an  appeal 
from  James  B.  Taylor,  Secretary  of  the  Southern  Board,  a  hundred  dol- 
lars was  promptly  sent  to  Foreign  Missions. 

There  still  remained  a  balance  of  the  old  debt  unpaid.  Providence 
now  made  a  way  of  relief.  A  venerable  sister,  Mrs.  Ellen  Faulkner, 
dying,  left  a  legacy  of  $200  toward  the  debt.  The  remainder  being  due 
to  Eev.  Franklin  Wilson,  he  generously  relinquished  his  claim.  This 
cleared  away  a  cloud  that  had  long  overshadowed  them,  and  a  testimo- 
nial of  gratitude  was  presented  by  the  Church  to  B/o.  Wilson,  at  a 
public  meeting.  During  the  winter  of  1865-6,  Bro.  Nice's  labors  were 
further  blessed  in  the  reclamation  of  backsliders  and  the  baptism  of  a 
number  of  new  converts.  In  November,  1866,  the  pastor  resigned.  It 
was  with  great  reluctance  that  the  Church  accepted  this  decision,  and 


8o  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

they  passed  resolutions  expressive  of  the  highest  regard  for  him.  His 
ministry  had  lasted  nearly  seven  years,  and  he  left  the  Church  free  of 
debt  and  dissension  and  in  a  healthful  spiritual  condition. 

The  Church  now.  carried  on  its  work  for  some  months  without  a 
pastor,  using  their  finances  for  the  renovation  of  their  building,  at  an 
outlay  of  $2,500.  Col.  Wm.  Chestnut,  through  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Saunders,  kindly  donated  |350  of  this  sum.  Eev.  E.  B.  Kelsay,  of  Phil- 
adelphia, then  accepted  charge,  in  September,  1867.  His  labors  were 
blessed  from  the  beginning,  and  resulted  in  accessions  at  nearly  every 
weekly  meeting.  In  February,  1868,  the  Church  voted  to  increase  his 
salary  from  $1,500  to  $3,000,  but  he  positively  declined  the  advance. 

In  the  same  year,  a  reunion  took  place,  participated  in  by  all  the  for- 
mer pastors  of  the  Church.  It  was  an  occasion  of  interesting  remin- 
iscences and  hopeful  anticipations. 

Not  being  able  to  buy  a  parsonage,  the  Church  now  added  $300  to  the 
pastor's  salary  for  the  rent  of  one.  The  ground-rent  of  the  church 
edifice  being  a  yearly  tax  of  $180,  four  of  the  brethren  nobly  offered  to 
contribute  $2,500  toward  its  liquidation,  provided  the  Church  would 
raise  $500  more.  This  was  not  done  immediately,  but  in  about  six 
months,  in  April,  1870,  the  ground  was  purchased  for  the  Church,  and 
this  enabled  them  to  move  more  freely  in  their  mission  for  Christ.  The 
cause  prospered  throughout  the  year,  and  over  a  hundred  members  were 
received,  but  to  the  surprise  and  regret  of  the  entire  fellowship,  Mr. 
Kelsay  resigned,  in  December,  1870. 

In  March,  1871,  Rev.  Mark  E.  Watkinson  was  elected  by  a  small 
majority  at  a  regular  meeting,  and  a  motion  failed  to  make  it  unani- 
mous. The  minority  comprised  the  official  and  active  portion  of  the 
Church.  Mr.  Watkinson  accepted,  hoping  to  harmonize  both  sides  ; 
and  it  is  due  to  say  that  both  parties  endeavored  to  act  for  the  general 
peace.  But  as  time  passed  on,  it  was  evident  that  there  was  a  lack  of 
that  cordial  cooperation  necessary  to  prosperity,  and  in  March,  1872, 
a  vote  was  taken  at  a  business  meeting  of  the  Church  on  the  question  of 
retaining  or  dismissing  the  pastor.  The  ballot  stood  seventy-nine  in 
favor  of  Mr.  Watkinson  and  thirty-three  against  him.  This  settled  the 
debate,  for  the  time. 

On  May  15,1873,  the  funeral  of  Rev.  John  Berg  took  place  from  this 
Church.  As  the  former  pastor  of  this  and  the  Second  Church,  and  as 
editor  of  the  "True  Union,"'  Mr.  Berg  had  acquired  many  friends.  Of 
late,  his  health  had  become  impaired,  from  partial  paralysis.  He  had 
spent  a  season  at  a  Virginia  Spring  under  medical  treatment,  and  then 
gone  to  the  seaside  at  Hampton.  Eor  a  few  days,  at  that  place,  he  ap- 
peared to  improve.  Always  cheerful,  he  once  remarked  that  he  had 
long  admired  the  prayers  of  the  Episcopal  service,  with  one  exception. 


■    Maryland  Baptist  History.  8i 

He  could  not  join  in  the  petition  "From  sudden  death,  good  Lord,  de- 
liver us."  "Were  1  allowed  to  choose,"  said  he,  "I  would  prefer  to  die 
suddenly;"  and  then  raising  both  hands,  he  exclaimed,  "Sudden  death 
— sudden  glory  !"  He  took  a  short  walk, and  returning,  locked  himself 
in  his  room.  After  some  time,  his  observant  friends,  fearing  the  worst, 
forced  the  door  and  found  the  good  man  dying.  His  desire  was  grant- 
ed ;  he  died  suddenly.  His  remains  were  buried  in  Greenmount,  and 
covered  by  an  appropriately  inscribed  marble.  His  funeral  was  con- 
ducted by  Eevs.  M.  R.  Watkinson,  Franklin  Wilson,  G.  F.  Adams,  E. 
N.  Harris  and  Dr.  Fuller. 

In  September,  1873,  finding  that  he  had  failed  in  uniting  the  mem- 
bers under  his  administration,  Mr.  Watkinson  resigned.  Just  about 
that  time,  a  neat  chapel  had  been  erected  on  Eager  street,  near  Broad- 
way, chiefly  through  the  means  of  Mrs.  Geo.  E.  Dodge.  Mr.  Watkin- 
son was  invited  to  take  charge  of  the  congregation  at  this  mission,  and 
accepted. 

The  High  Street  Church  was  now  without  a  pastor  for  over  seven 
months,  during  which  some  repairs  were  made  in  their  building.  In 
August,  1874,  Rev.  John  T.  Craig,  of  Scotland,  and  late  of  New  Jersey, 
who  had  preached  here  frequently,  settled  as  pastor.  All  things  now 
worked  harmoniously,  and  the  Church  took  a  step  forward  in  all  that 
constitutes  a  healthy,  zealous.  Christian  body. 

In  the  summer  of  1875,  Deacon  James  D.  McKean  died  suddenly,  on 
his  way  home,  one  night,  from  a  meeting  at  the  church.  His  age  was 
sixty-eight  years.  Born  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  he  resided  in  Philadelphia, 
in  early  manhood,  where  he  was  converted.  In  1840,  he  united  with 
the  First  Church  of  Baltimore,  and  in  1847  with  the  High  St.  Church. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  industry,  indomitable  energy,  strong  faith,  and 
consistent  piety.  It  is  seldom  that  a  Church  loses  a  member  more  val- 
uable and  punctual  as  an  officer,  and  kind-hearted  as  a  man.  A  memo- 
rial service  was  held  in  his  honor. 

This  Church  was  constituted  when  the  aggressive  spirit  of  Missions 
was  little  known  as  compared  with  the  present  period,  yet  there  has 
always  been  a  feeling  favorable  to  such  work,  which  was  retarded  only 
by  adverse  financial  circumstances.  An  earlj  effort  in  this  direction 
was  made  at  Huntingdon,  in  1843,  when  a  Sunday  school  was  planted 
by  J.  B.  Bradley,  J.  F.  Helm,  T.  E.  Edmonds,_E.  S.  Dulin,  L.  Raymo 
and  others,  near  the  toll-gate  on  the  York  Road.  This  school  and  the 
meetings  connected  with  it  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson, 
may  be  regarded  as  the  origin  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Waverly. 
More  recently,  a  mission  school  was  originated,  which,  combined  with 
another  mission,  resulted  in  the  foundingof  Shiloh  (now  Grace)  Church. 


82  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  Young  People's  Association  has  been  in  the  past  quite  active 
in  all  Sunday  school  and  mission  labors.  Several  years  ago,  a  vigorous 
monthly  Church  paper  was  published  by  Mr.  C.  S.  Stewart,  and  edited 
by  the  pastor  and  Mr.  Henry  Taylor.  Large  numbers  of  tracts  have 
been  distributed  by  the  society. 

In  1876,  considerable  improvements  were  made  in  the  house,  in  ad- 
dition to  a  new  baptistery,  costing  $600,  without  incurring  any  debt. 

Bro.  Craig's  administration  was  marked  by  a  general  improvement 
and  growth.  The  Church,  school  and  missions, were  all  active.  Con- 
tributions to  all  purposes  were  increased.  In  1879,  a  spire  designed  by 
J.  Appleton  Wilson,  son  of  the  former  pastor,  was  added  to  the  church 
edifice,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  Having  received  a  call  to  general  mission 
work  in  Delaware,  to  which  he  felt  a  special  inclination,  Bro.  Craig 
resigned  his  pastorate,  Jan.  2,  1881. 

Rev.  W.  S.  Penick,  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Alexandria,  Va., 
was  chosen  pastor  in  March,  1881.  He  entered  upon  his  labors  the 
following  May.  In  a  short  time,  after  thoroughly  acquainting  himself 
with  the  condition  of  the  membership,  he  urged  the  Church  to  revise 
its  lists,  which  they  begun  to  do  in  October.  During  this  year  the 
number  of  members  was  reduced  by  erasure  and  the  withdrawal  of  fel- 
lowship, from  153  to  354 ;  and  the  next  year,  ending  in  October,  1882, 
the  membership  was  further  reduced  for  the  same  reason  to  314,  al- 
though there  were  38  receiveil  during  the  year,  29  of  them  by  baptism. 

While  this  reduction  of  membership  was  going  on,  the  Church  large- 
ly increased  its  contributions  to  the  various  causes  of  benevolence.  In 
1881,  the  contribution  to  the  Maryland  Union  Association  was  $125  ; 
in  1882,  it  was  $200  ;  the  following  year  it  was  $300,  and  in  1884  it  had 
reached  about  $350.  To  other  objects,  including  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions,  the  amount  given  in  1881  was  about  $150,  and  in  1882,  it  was 
$595.  In  November,  1882,  the'Church  increased  the  pastor's  salary 
$500.  Besides  these  advances,  expensive  improvements  were  made  in 
the  building.  The  Sunday  school  covered  the  floor  of  the  lecture  room 
with  a  new  carpet;  the  ladies  put  a  new  set  of  furniture  in  the  pulpit, 
and  about  this  time  a  new  hymn  book  was  introduced  at  considerable 
cost.     The  number  of  members  in  October,  1884,  was  348. 

A  ladies'  missionary  society  was  organized  in  November,  1882,  which 
IS  doing  a  noble  work  in  making  clothing  for  the  Indian  children  of 
the  Levering  Manual  Labor  School,  besides  contributing  liberal  sums 
of  money  to  various  other  benevolent,objects.  Recently,  another  society, 
called,  "The  Young  Ladies' Home  Mission  Society,"  has  been  organized. 

The  High  St.  Church  has  just  celebrated  its  semi-centennial.  These 
fifty  years  have  been   characterized  by  great  struggles,  and  abundant 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  83 

usefulness.  The  Church  now  proposes,  as  soon  as  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements can  be  made,  to  remove  from  its  present  locality,  which  is 
being  rapidly  surrounded  with  business  houses,  to  a  more  eligible  situ- 
ation, where  it  is  hoped  that  a  still  more  abundant  success  may  crown 
its  efforts  in  the  future. 

Within  two  years,  the  Church  has  been  bereaved  by  death  of  three 
of  the  oldest  members,Theresa  Grace,  Ann  V.  Beckley  and  B.  M.  Mason. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Church  are  :  Pastor,  Rev.  W.  S.  Penick. 
Deacons:  Jas.  P.  Frames,  also  Treasurer  ;  John  F.  Helm  ;  Wm.  Leon- 
hardt;  and  W.  E.  Mason,  also  Clerk. 

The  Sunday  school  of  this  Church  has  always  been  a  power  for  good, 
and  its  faithful  teaching  has  won  many  souls  to  Christ.  Its  successive 
superintendents  have  been  as  follows :  Wm.  H.  Ryan,  A.  J.  Hampson, 
J.  D.  Tustin,  J.  B.  Moody,  Wm.  H.  Hamer,  Wm.  S.  Foster,  James  D. 
McKean,  Stephen  Jones,  W.  S.  Crowley,  Jas.  P.  Frames,  the  last  of 
whom  has  served  since  1864.  The  other  officers,  at  the  present  time, 
are :  Assistant  Superintendent,  Wm.  Leonhardt ;  Treasurer,  H.  Taylor ; 
Secretaries,  Charles  Woodward,  Wm.  Porter;  Librarians,  J.  B.  Vail, 
W.  Colmus. 


84  Maryland  Baptist  History. 


■835- 

PIKESVILLE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

PiKESViLLE  is  a  pleasant  village  on  the  Reisterstown  road,  about 
eight  miles  northwest  of  Baltimore.  For  a  long  time  it  was  the  location 
of  a  U.  S.  Arsenal.  In  1832,  Mr.  Joseph  Mettam  landed  at  Norfolk, 
Va.,  from  England,  and  coming  to  Baltimore,  united  with  the  Second 
Church.  Here  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  attended  the  Baltimore 
Association  at  Black  Bock,  in  1834,  as  a  delegate.  "While  there,  he  was 
thrown  from  a  horse  and  dragged  some  distance  by  the  stirrup.  Among 
the  friends  who  aided  to  restore  him  from  the  effects  of  the  accident, 
was  a  lady  who  conducted  a  female  academy  near  Pikesville.  She  in- 
vited him  to  preach  there,  especially  for  the  spiritual  advantage  of  her 
pupils.  He  consented,  and  finally  brought  his  family  and  settled  in 
the  village  and  opened  a  school.  Teaching  through  the  week,  he  used 
his  sehool-room  for  divine  worship  on  Sunday,  and  it  was  filled  with  an 
interested  congregation.  Dr.  James  Smith  now  gave  half  an  acre  of 
ground  for  the  site  of  a  chapel.  Other  friends  contributed  money  and 
material,  and  by  February,  1835,  a  stone  house  was  built,  thirty  by  forty 
feet  in  dimension,  comfortable,  and  ready  for  occupancy.  It  was  ded- 
icated by  Rev.  John  Healy,  assisted  by  Elder  Eli  Scott,  of  Black  Rock. 
In  May  following,  Mr.  Healy  baptized  two  converts,  the  first  fruits  of 
Bro.  Mettam's  labors  in  the  school-house.  Soon  after,  two  more  were 
baptized  by  Bro.  Healy.  On  September  8,  1835,  a  Church  was  consti- 
tuted, in  the  presence  of  brethren  from  the  First  and  Second  Churches 
of  Baltimore.  The  constituents  were  Joseph  Mettam  and  Ruth  B.,  his 
wife,  Miss  Eliza  Trott,  from  the  Second  Church  of  Baltimore,  and  the 
four  recently  baptized,  John  G.  Cox,  Geo.  Robinson,  Ann  Turner  and 
John  Ports. 

On  June  29,  following,  Bro.  Mettam  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by 
Revs.  John  Healy,  Joseph  H.  Jones  and  Stephen  P.  Hill.  He  had  al- 
ready been  chosen  as  pastor  by  the  little  flock.  A  debt  of  $400, which 
remained  on  the  meeting  house,  was  presented  before  the  Churches  in 
Baltimore,  and  soon  after  paid  by  their  contributions. 

In  1836,  when  the  Maryland  Union  Association  was  organized,  this 
Church  was  a  constituent.  The  pastor  labored  faithfully  and  reported 
fourteen  members  at  the  second  meeting  of  that  body.  In  1840,  the 
Union  assembled  at  Pikesville,  and  began  a  protracted  meeting,  which 
continued  under  charge  of  the  pastor  and  Rev.  L.  W.  Allen,  of  Va., 
until  a  large  number  of  souls  were  converted.  Forty-two  members 
were  reported  in  1842. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  85 

For  the  next  twenty  years  there  were  occasional  additions,  but  noth- 
ing of  importance  occurred.  The  pastor  not  only  served  this  Church, 
but  acted  occasionally  as  a  missionary  of  the  Board,  preaching  at  Ta- 
neytown,  Hereford,  Forest,  Good  Hope  and  other  points.  In  1860,  Kev. 
H.  G.  DeWitt,  State  Evangelist,  held  a  series  of  meetings  at  Pikesville, 
resulting  in  thirty  additions  to  the  Church.  In  1861,  fifty-four  mem- 
bers are  recorded,  the  largest  roll  ever  given.  Since  then,  many  have 
died  or  removed,  and  the  number  at  present  is  only  seventeen.  The 
whole  number  received  during  the  existence  of  the  body  has  been  con- 
siderably over  one  hundred. 

Feeble  as  this  Church  has  been,  it  has  nevertheless  been  a  power  for 
good  in  the  community.  At  the  time  of  its  origin,  there  was  no  place 
of  worship  within  several  miles.  Now,  there  are  three  large  churches 
in  the  place.  Its  Sunday  school  has  been  recognized  for  its  influence 
on  the  young  of  the  neighborhood.  The  village,  in  early  years,  was  the 
place  of  resort  for  sport,  especially  on  Sunday.  But  the  gospel  made 
a  great  change,  and  brought  decency  and  piety  to  the  homes  and  hearts 
of  the  people.  Even  the  youths  who  robbed  orchards  for  pastime,  came 
to  the  school,  and  ceased  to  annoy  the  neighboring  farmers. 

The  venerable  pastor,  who  has  never  missed  but  two  or  three  meet- 
ings of  the  Association  during  its  fifty  years,  still  lives,  at  this  writing, 
but  is  unable  to  preach,  and  awaits  the  end  of  his  well-spent  life. 


Erected  IHSl). 


FIRST  COLORED  BAPTIST  CHURCH 


BALTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  87 


1836. 

FIRST  COLORED  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

In  compiling  this  sketch,  we  must  rely  upon  detached  reports  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  Association,  on  the  recollection  of  aged  persons,  and  on 
imperfect  Church  records.  The  following  is  all  we  can  gather  in  regard 
to  the  first  church  organization  among  the  colored  Baptists. 

In  1818,  a  colored  Baptist  preacher,  whose  name  is  forgotten,  but 
whose  labors  are  remembered,  came  to  Baltimore,  and  preached  about 
a  year  to  a  few  Baptists  in  a  private  house  on  Potter  street,  near  Fayette. 
But  it  does  not  appear  that  any  Church  was  organized.  There  were 
a  few  colored  Baptists  to  be  found,  and  occasionally  a  meeting  was  held 
in  some  private  house,  but  the  race  were  then  in  slavery,  and  both  laws 
and  public  opinion  were  unfavorable  to  their  separate  organization.  A 
number,  however,were  members  of  the  First  (white)  Church.  It  was  not 
until  1834,  when  Mr.  Wm.  Crane  came  from  Richmond,  that  any  spe- 
cial effort  was  made  to  gather  them  into  a  distinct  body,  so  as  to  enable 
them  to  extend  the  truth  among  the  large  numbers  of  their  kindred 
dwelling  among  us.  With  his  advice,  Moses  Clayton,  who  had  been  a 
slave,  but  was  now  free,  and  had  come  to  Baltimore  from  Norfolk,  Va., 
made  an  effort  in  this  direction.  Mr.  A.  Stirling,  who  owned  a  school 
house  on  the  corner  of  Young  and  Thomsen  streets,  kindly  gave  its  use 
free  of  rent  to  Clayton,  for  a  Sunday  school.  Clayton  had  learned  to 
read  and  write,  could  speak  with  some  fluency,  and  began  teaching 
and  preaching  at  once.  Being  a  carpenter,  he  made  his  living  by  labor 
during  the  week.  He  began  a  school  with  three  children,  two  of  them 
his  own,  and  gradually  gathered  a  few  others.  He  often  preached  to 
an  audience  comprising  his  wife  and  two  or  three  others,  and  strange 
as  it  may  seem,  spoke  with  as  much  ardor  and  enthusiasm  as  if  he  were 
addressing  a  thousand  people.  Clayton's  piety  and  earnestness  had  a 
reward  so  far  that  he  gathered  in  some  eight  or  ten  believers,  formed  a 
Church  and  was  ordained  as  pastor.  The  organization  took  place  Feb. 
20,1836,  with  the  assistance  of  the  following  ministers:  Rev.  John 
Healy,  of  the  Second  Church,  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill,  of  the  First  Church,  and 
Rev.  Gr.  F.  Adams  of  the  Calvert  St.  (now  High  St.)  Church. 

The  First  Colored  Church  did  not  grow  rapidly,  but  maintained  reg- 
ular worship  and  served  as  a  small  beacon  light  for  many  years.  In 
1841,  the  Church  was  received  into  the  Association,  and  reported  a  slow 
advance  from  time  to  time.     In  1860,  the  pastor,  Rev.  Moses  Clayton, 


88  Maryland  Baptist  History, 

finished  the  work  God  had  sent  him  to  do,  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven  years. 

Eev.  J,  Gary  preached  for  this  Church  a  short  time.  Bro.  John  Whye 
also  acted  as  pastor  in  1863,  and  is  the  oldest  member  now  living.  In 
1864,  Rev.  J.  Underdue,  of  Philadelphia,  was  called,  and  served  as  pastor 
for  a  few  months,  when  he  joined  the  Union  army.  The  Church  re- 
ported about  eighty  members  during  this  period.  In  1865,  Rev.  Lewis 
Hicks  became  pastor.  This  brother  had  been  a  slave,  had  traveled* 
and  was  quite  a  character.  He  was  illiterate,  but  had  great  vigor  and 
fluency  of  speech.  Short  of  stature,  with  an  intelligent  eye  and  frank 
countenance,  he  possessed  an  energy  of  character  that  caused  him  to 
be  noticed  whenever  he  was  engaged  in  public  speaking.  He  frequent- 
ly plead  before  the  Board  and  the  Association  for  his  various  charges, 
and  was  always  accorded  a  very  friendly  hearing.  He  undertook  to 
build  a  meeting  house  in  place  of  the  old  school  house,  which  had  be- 
come dilapidated,  and  with  the  aid  of  Rev.  John  Berg,  succeeded  in  col- 
lecting the  required  means.  He  remained  pastor  till  1869,  leaving  a 
membership  of  over  one  hundred.  He  afterwards  went  to  Cumberland 
and  organized  an  interest  there.  He  died  at  Charlotte  Hall,  in  1880, 
aged  seventy  years. 

In  1872,  Rev.  J.  C.  Allen,  a  student  of  Iberia  College,  Ohio,  entered 
the  pastorate  of  this  Church.  It  was  ^t  first  in  age,  but  others  had 
outstripped  it,  and  it  stood,  weak  and  somewhat  in  debt,  not  knowing, 
but  hoping  for  a  future.  Bro.  Alien  labored  judiciously  and  success- 
fully, and  soon  required  a  larger  house  to  hold  his  hearers.  Conver- 
sions blessed  his  ministry.  The  Church  grew  in  character,  and  shortly 
numbered  three  hundred  members.  The  unfavorable  location  of  the 
house  of  worship  caused  many  to  leave,  and  the  Church  Extension  So- 
ciety saw  the  need  of  a  larger  house  and  better  position,  if  a  great  work 
was  to  be  done.  The  Church  were  therefore  encouraged  to  collect 
funds  and  build  elsewhere.  They  soon  paid  off  all  existing  debts  and 
began  to  save  money  for  the  new  enterprise.  In  1873,  their  letter  to  the 
Association  says:  "Our  house  is  too  small  to  hold  the  people.  Want 
another  and  are  trying  to  get  one.  Have  $1,000  in  bank  for  that  object. 
Who  will  give  a  dollar  to  help  along?  Have  baptized  fifty-eight  per- 
sons this  year."  In  1875,  a  lot  was  secured  on  the  corner  of  Caroline 
and  McElderry  streets.  In  three  years,  by  great  effort  and  self-denial, 
the  Church  had  paid  for  it,  $3,500.  In  1880,  a  large  and  handsome 
building  was  erected  on  this  lot  by  the  Church  Extension  Society,  to 
be  deeded  to  the  Church  after  all  the  cost  shall  be  secured.  It  was  de- 
signed by  J.  A.  and  W.  T.  Wilson,  Architects,  built  by  H.  C.  Smyser 
and  Edw.  B.  White.  Dr.  G.  K.  Tyler  and  Charles  Tyler,  F.  W.  King, 
Chas.  A.  Keyser,  and  other  members  of  the  Board,  gave  not  only  con- 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  89 

siderable  money,  but  also  much  gratuitous  personal  supervision  to  the 
work.     The  house  and  ground  cost  about  $16,500. 

On  the  last  Sunday  in  January,  1881,  the  Church  occupied  its  new 
home,  and  before  a  month  had  passed,  fifty  converts  were  baptized.  A 
joyful  opening  !  Since  then  the  members  have  set  themselves  to  work 
for  the  extinguishment  of  their  debt  and  the  increase  of  such  as  shall 
be  saved.  They  now  number  371.  The  pastor  still  occupies  his  place 
as  a  modest,  yet  faithful  leader,  and  has  been  honored  several  times  by 
the  colored  Churches  in  being  elected  President  of  the  Baptist  State 
Convention,  The  deacons  of  this  Church  are:  Joseph  Reed,  Welford 
Day,  Dabney  Noel,  Gabriel  Sutton,  Cornelius  Smith,  Arthur  Richard- 
son, George  Cephas.  Trustees  :  Jeremiah  Griffin,  Lewis  Washington, 
Tobias  Robinson,  Peter  Parker,  John  Sharp.  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  School,  Lucius  Johnson. 


go  Mai-yland  Baptist  History. 

1842. 
HEREFORD  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  origin  of  Hereford  Church  may  be  ascribed  to  the  influence  of 
Mr.  John  K.  Rowe.  He  was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  Baltimore 
in  1801,  where  he  worked  as  a  ship-joiner.  In  1807,  he  raised  and 
commanded  a  volunteer  military  company,  in  anticipation  of  a  war 
with  England,  and  in  1814  served  in  the  defence  of  this  city.  He  was 
subsequently  converted,  and  became  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  under  Kev.  J.  Finlay.  Later,  Mr.  Rowe  removed  to  Hereford* 
About  1840,  he  set  apart  a  lot  of  two  acres  in  the  centre  of  the  village' 
and  being  an  able  mechanic,  built  upon  it  a  neat,  substantial  house  of 
worship,  at  almost  his  own  expense,  receiving  contributions  if  offered, 
but   never  soliciting  any.     Bro.  D.  B.  Wilhelm  states*  that  the  active 

*"We  held  a  series  of  protracted  meetings.  We  went  to  Hereford.  Old  Bro. 
Rowe  had  built  a  meeting  house.  We  begun  a  prayer  meeting  there  and  kept  it 
up  for  a  week.  We  held  our  meetings  at  night,  and  went  around  praying  with 
the  families  in  the  day-time.  There  was  power  in  prayer  there.  Bro.  Rowe's 
children  had  grown  up  unconverted— all  except  one,  who  was  a  Methodist,  and 
afterward  joined  the  Baptists— they  were  all  brought  in  at  this  meeting.  Bro. 
Rowe's  youngest  son  was  a  sailor,  and  had  just  come  home  from  sea.  He  told 
his  mother  that  he  'would  have  to  go  back  to  sea;  for  if  he  went  up  to  Bill's 
they  were'  praying  there  ;  if  he  went  to  Bro.  John's,  they  were  praying  there ;  if 
he  went  to  brother  Jim's,  they  were  praying  there ;  and  if  he  went  back  to  home) 
they  were  praying  there.  He  had  no  place  to  put  his  foot.'  So  he  got  his  mother 
to  pack  up  his  clothes.  He  went  around  to  bid  his  brothers  good-bye.  He  met 
brother  Jim  down  in  a  field,  who  told  him  all  that  he  wanted  was  religion,  and 
both  got  right  down  on  their  knees  on  the  ground,  and  the  Lord  converted 
him  right  there.  He  did  not  go  back  to  sea,  but  got  aboard  the  old  Ship  of  Zion. 
and  has  no  doubt  sailed  to  heaven.  But  T  must  speak  of  another  case  before  I 
leave  Hereford.  I  went  down  to  old  Bro.  Freeland's.  His  wife  had  been  out  to 
our  meeting,  and  had  been  so  powerfully  convicted,  that  when  she  returned  home 
she  took  to  her  bed  and  sent  for  a  doctor.  While  I  was  there,  the  doctor  came  in. 
After  questioning  the  patient,  he  said  to  her,  'You  are  afflicted  more  in  mind  than 
in  body,  for  I  know  I  am.'  With  that  he  took  a  seat  beside  me  and  said,  'Now, 
if  there  is  any  religion  for  me,  I  want  it.'  This  took  me  by  surprise;  I  thought, 
'What  can  I  say  to  this  man? — he  has  been  to  Congress,  and  I  am  only  a  young 
convert.'  But  I  pointed  him  to  Jesus.  He  wanted  me  to  go  home  with  him,  as 
he  lived  in  the  village.  After  I  had  prayed  with  Mrs.  Freeland,  I  started  up  to 
see  the  doctor,  but  met  him  coming  down,  praising  the  Lord.  God  had  blessed 
him,  and  we  had  a  happy  time  there.  Mrs.  Freeland  came  to  the  meetings  again, 
and  was  also  converted.  So  the  doctor  and  his  patient  were  both  converted 
within  twenty-four  hours.  The  doctor's  name  was  John  C.  Orrick — he  preached 
the  gospel  in  the  Methodist  connexion  for  a  number  of  years  before  his  death. 
Hereford  Baptist  Church  was  started  from  this  meeting." — From  '^ Recollections  of 
Uncle  Daniel,'''  pub.  by  WeisJiampel,  Baltimore,  1883. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  91 

members  of  Gunpowder  Church  held  prayer  and  enquiry  meetings  in 
this  building,  and  that  a  revival  followed,  which  led  to  the  organization 
of  a  new  Church.  Bro.  Rowe  then  invited  all  who  desired  to  form  a 
Baptist  Church  to  unite,  and  presented  the  property  to  the  body.  The 
following  were  the  constituent  members :  John  K.  Rowe,  Ann  Bevan, 
Thos.  Miller,  Ann  Miller,  Johanna  Boyd,  Wm.  Cross,  Jas.  Rowe,  John 
L.  Price,  Rachel  Price,  Mary  Rowe,  Thomas  Jones,  Ann  Little,  Sarah 
Turner,  Mary  Little,  George  Little,  Elizabeth  Price,  Elizabeth  Ways, 
Margaret  Rowe,  Martha  Turner  and  Wm.  Rowe.  The  Baltimore  and 
Gunpowder  Churches  sent  delegates  to  recognize  the  new  body,  on  Jan- 
5,  1843.  A  covenant  was  adopted,  and  a  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  G. 
F.Adams.  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  ; 
and  was  subsequently  chosen  pastor  of  this  and  the  Gunpowder 
Churches.  His  labors  were  blessed,  and  seven  persons  were  baptized. 
Among  them  was  one  man,  who  kept  a  drinking  house,  and  who  gave 
evidence  of  his  sincerity  by  abandoning  the  traffic.  A  few  weeks  later, 
a  Sunday  school  was  established,  which  though  sometimes  interrupted, 
has  been  continued  to  the  present  time.  In  March  39,  1843,  the  fol- 
lowing was  adopted ;  "Whereas,  brother  John  K.  Rowe  has  built  a 
meeting  house  at  his  own  expense  in  the  town  of  Hereford,  and  has 
made  said  house,  with  two  acres  of  ground,  a  present  to  us,  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Hereford;  Resolved,  That  we  gratefully  accept  the  same,  and 
hereby  return  to  Bro.  Rowe  our  sincere  and  hearty  thanks  for  so  val- 
uable a  present." 

In  the  following  autumn,  a  missionary  society  was  constituted,  and 
a  monthly  concert  of  prayer  established.  During  1843,  a  camp-meeting 
was  held  by  the  members  of  this  and  the  Gunpowder  Churches.  Min- 
isters from  Baltimore  and  elsewhere  attended  and  preached  with  power. 
Many  were  converted,  baptized,  and  added  to  the  Churches.  In  1843, 
Mr.  Chandler  was  recalled  to  his  native  State,  Virginia,  In  Augustof 
that  year.  Rev.  G.  F.  Adams  took  charge  of  this  field,  including  that  of 
Gunpowder,  and  also  Price's  school-house,  about  half  way  between  the 
other  two.  This  continued  until  the  Forest  Church  was  constituted. 
At  this  time  was  licensed  Bro.  Thos.  Jones,  who  served  as  missionary  at 
Rockville,  as  heretofore  stated.     Mr.  Adams  resigned  in  March,  1846. 

Rev.  Adam  Baush  succeeded  as  pastor,  at  the  same  time  teaching  a 
school.  He  remained  two  years,  and  baptized  seven  persons.  \n  1848, 
the  Hereford  and  Forest  Churches  recalled  Mr.  Chandler,  who  served 
them  with  fair  success  for  three  years,  during  which  time  a  baptistery 
was  made  in  the  Hereford  house.  In  1851,  Rev.  T.  W.  Haynes,  of  S.  C.> 
occupied  the  pulpit  for  a  few  months.  In  1854,  Rev.  E.  R.  Hera,  then 
of  Dover,  Del.,  accepted  charge.  Soon  after,  occurred  the  death  of  Mr. 
J.  K.  Rowe,  aged  eighty-six  years.     Besides  his  former  gift,  he  left  to 


92  Maryland  Baptist  //istory. 

the  Church  an  annual  ground-rent  of  ,|U6  in  lialtiniore  City,  to  legalize 
which  his  heirs  generously  obtained  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature. 
Mrs.  Ruth  Rowe,  his  widow,  also  presented  the  Church  with  a  house 
and  lot  in  the  village  to  be  used  as  a  "pastor's  home."  This  was  the 
only  one  of  our  Churches  at  that  time  so  comfortably  endowed.  Two 
years  later,  Mr.  Hera  left,  at  the  call  of  High  St.  Church,  Baltimore. 
Rev.  J.  Porter,  the  pastor  of  Gunpowder  and  Forest,  now  preached  at 
Hereford  also,  for  about  two  years.  In  1<S60,  Rev.  John  Kingdon,  a 
young  student,  acted  temporarily  as  pastor.  In  1864,  Bro.  M.  H.  Aus- 
tin, a  convert  under  the  preaching  of  Bro.  Thomas  Jones,  at  Rockville, 
was  ordained  as  pastor.  Bro.  Austin's  earnest  labors  were  blessed,  and 
he  remained  in  charge  four  years.  Rev.  J.  W.  Jones,  of  Va.,  succeeded 
for  over  two  years.  Dr.  Isaac  Cole,  living  in  Westminster,  preached 
here  during  1873.  Rev.  B.  G.  Parker  became  pastor  in  1874  and  con- 
tinued fourteen  months.  Rev.  E.  B.  Walts  next  assumed  charge,  in 
July  1875,  and  served  until  1881.  Bro.  E.  Wilcox  a  member  of  the 
Seventh  Church,  took  charge  for  a  few  months  in  1881.  During  all 
these  terms,  there  was  a  fair  amount  of  work,  vvith  occasional  special 
eflbrts,  a  few  baptisms  by  each  pastor,  and  periods  of  prosperity.  Most 
of  the  pastors  were  missionaries  of  our  Association. 

In  1882,  Rev.  C.  L.  Amy  was  chosen  pastor.  During  1883,  Rev.  J. 
B.  English,  then  State  Evangelist,  held  a  meeting,  at  which  four  con- 
verts were  reported.  The  Church  seemed  hopeful.  In  November, 
1884,  Mr.  Amy  resigned.     Members  in  1884,  forty-six. 

Recently,  Bro.  Edward  Austen,  a  native  of  Baltimore,  but  for  many 
years  engaged  in  business  in  New  York,  has  removed  to  his  beautiful 
farm  near  Hereford,  and  greatly  aided  the  Church  by  his  presence,  con- 
tributions and  wise  Christian  counsel.  Rev.  Ed.  Small,  a  student  from 
Spurgeon's  College,  has  been  lately  elected  missionary  pastor,  with  a 
hopeful  prospect. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Church  are  as  follows.  Deacons:  T.  R. 
Rowe,  U.  Harvey  ;  Clerk,  W.  G.  Little  ;  Treasurer,  A.  J.  Rowe.  The 
Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  is  T.  R.  Rowe. 


Maryland  J^aptist  History.  93 

1843. 

FOREST   BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

*'The  Forest  Baptist  Cliurch  was  organized  on  January  24,  1843,  by 
fifty  members  who  witlidrew  by  letter  from  tbe  Gunpowder  Church. 
Revs.  Wm.  Laws  and  Joseph  Mettam  had  been  liolding  meetings  at 
Gunpowder  Church,  in  1840.  The  good  work  spread  for  miles  all  over 
the  country  and  hundreds  were  converted,  most  of  them  heads  of  fam- 
ilies. They  went  to  the  Old  Stump  meeting  house,  which  had  been  oc- 
cupied by  the  Old  Side  Baptists,  a  few  of  whom  were  still  holding  on 
to  the  house.  Brn.  Laws  and  Mettam  were  locked  out,  but  they  held  a 
meeting  in  the  Grove  alongside  of  the  old  house.  They  kept  up  this 
meeting  for  some  time,  as  the  weather  was  warm.  There  they  had  a 
number  of  converts.  They  held  another  meeting  at  old  Father  Albin's 
in  Carroll  county,  where  they  had  several  converts.  They  also  preached 
in  Bro.  J.  L.  Price's  school  house.  All  those  meetings  were  held  un- 
der charge  of  the  members  of  the  Gunpowder  Church,  and  all  the 
converts  baptized  were  received  into  that  Church,  for  it  was  the  only 
Eegular  Baptist  Church  in  that  county  within  25  miles.  The  Forest 
Church  was  organized,  as  already  mentioned,  at  Price's  school  house. 
The  last  night  Bro.  Laws  preached  there,  he  had  some  three  converts, 
and  as  he  was  going  to  leave  the  next  day,  he  took  them  at  the  same 
hour  of  the  night  down  to  the  creek  and  baptized  them.  But  after 
Bro.  Laws  left,  the  work  still  continued  and  a  camp-meeting  was  held 
near  this  place.  The  Gunpowder  and  Hereford  Churches  had  united 
to  call  Bro.  H.  J.  Chandler  as  their  pastor,  and  he  took  charge  of  the 
camp.  He  also  preached  at  Price's  school  house,  till  the  Forest  Church 
was  organized.  The  first  deacons  were  J.  L.  Price,  John  Sater  and  D.  B. 
Wilhelm.  After  Bro.  Chandler  resigned,  Bro.  Geo.  F.  Adams  took 
charge  of  the  three  Churches,  Gunpowder,  Hereford  and  Forest,  the 
latter  still  occupying  Price's  school  house."* 

In  the  following  year,  they  built  a  meeting  house,  to  which  they 
gave  the  appropriate  name  of  "Forest,"  from  its  natural  surroundings. 
Having  competent  carpenters  and  masons  among  them,  they  built  this 
house  chiefly  with  their  own  hands,  and  at  its  dedication,  its  cost  had 
been  almost  made  up.  Daniel  B.  Wilhelm,  known  as  one  of  the  sur- 
viving constituents  of  the  Forest  Church,  states  that  his  father  owned 
a  whiskey  distillery  in  that  neighborhood  some  years  previous  to  this 
organization,  but  having  been  converted  under  the  preaching  of  Elders 


*Wilhelm's  "Recollections." 


94  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Win.  Laws  and  Josepli  Mettain,  he  abandoned  the  accursed  manufac- 
ture and  tore  down  his  distillery.  He  adds,  that  some  of  the  planks 
of  the  demolished  building  were  used  as  flooring  in  the  tents  at  the 
camp-meeting  near  Forest ;  and  afterwards,  when  the  Forest  church 
was  built,  the  same  planks  were  used  as  flooring  there  also,  where  they 
still  remain.  The  house  is  located  about  six  miles  from  Gunpowder 
and  six  miles  from  Hereford  at  a  point  about  three  miles  west  of  the  line 
between  the  two  places. 

This  Church  has  had  a  history  somewhat  similar  to  the  other  tv/o, 
with  which  she  has  been  frequently  united  in  pastoral  connection, 
the  same  pastor  generally  serving  two  or  all  three  of  the  Churches. 

It  had  at  one  period  the  most  flourishing  Sunday  school  of  any  of 
our  country  Churches.  Bro.  John  L.  Wilhelm,  superintendent,  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  acted  as  pastor  during  1874-5.  The  school  was 
suspended  for  some  time  in  consequence  of  a  disagreement  between 
the  pastor  and  the  Church,  but  in  1884  it  was  revived,  and  now  num- 
bers 151  teachers  and  scholars.  The  present  superintendent  is  Richard 
Kelbaugh. 

Although  frequently  without  a  pastor,  the  members  have  sometimes 
carried  on  meetings  for  weeks.  Occasionally, Dr.  J.  W.  M.  Williams, 
Dr.  F.  Wilson  and  Dr.  Isaac  Cole  have  visited  the  church,  preached 
during    stated  meetings,  and  baptized  converts. 

Rev.  Dr.  James  Nelson,  now  of  Farmville,  Va.,  State  missionary  at 
the  time,  held  meetings  in  Forest  several  years  ago,  resulting  in  nu- 
merous conversions.  During  1881,  Rev.  John  B.  English  lield  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  which  greatly  encouraged  the  Church. 

The  Church  has  had  its  seasons  of  elation  and  depression,  and  has 
been  distracted  by  divisions.  Its  members  have  increased  at  various 
times,  but  of  late  years  have  diminished,  from  losses  by  exclusions, 
removals  and  deaths,  until  the  number  is  now  only  fifty-six.  At  one 
period,  eight  were  dismissed  to  Missouri,  at  other  times  many  to  Bal- 
timore and  Virginia,  eleven  to  organize  Hampden  Church,  and  as  Bro. 
Wilhelm  observes,  "a  great  many  have  gone  to  heaven,  we  believe." 


REV.  W.  T.  BRANTLY,  D.  D., 


PASTOR   OF    THE    SEVENTH    BAPTIST    CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 
1871— LS8:2. 


Maryland  Baptist  History 


97 


1845- 

SEVENTH     BAPTIST    CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 


The  Seventh  Baptist  Church  had  its  origin  in  a  meeting  held  by 
about  one  hundred  persons,  in  the  old  meeting-house  on  Calvert  Street, 
near  Saratoga,  on  October  17,  1845.  The  company  was  composed  of 
members  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Baltimore,  who  had  withdrawn 
from  that  body,  owing  to  differences  upon  matters  of  Church  govern- 
ment, &c.,  and  who  met  to  consider  the  proposition  of  organizing  a 
new  Baptist  Church. 

After  the  great  revival  services  held  in  the  First  Church,  by  Elder 
Jacob  Knapp,  in  November,  1839,  the  Church  had  experienced  consid- 
erable increase,  and  among  the  new  members  were  many  brethi*en  of 
zeal  and  energy,  occupying  a  high  position  in  social  and  business  cir- 
cles. A  number  of  these  earnest  and  progressive  brethren,  though  per- 
sonally loving  their  pastor.  Rev.  Stephen  P.  Hill,  regarded  his  admin- 
istration as  too  conservative,  and  decided  to  organize  themselves  into  a 
body  that  would  be  modeled  according  to  their  views  of  Church 
government  and  discipline.  Though  the  secession  of  so  many  brethren 
from  that  Church  was  much  deplored,  yet  subsequent  events  proved 
that  the  separation  was  providential. 

Th^  members  present  at  this  preliminary  meeting  desired  to  organ- 
ize at  once  as  a  Church,  and  appointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  Daniel 
Chase,  Samuel  Scribner,  L.  P.  Bayne  and  A.  R.  Levering,  to  purchase 
from  William  Crane,  the  house  in  which  they  were  assembled.  The 
owner  agreed  to  take  $6,000  for  the  property,  the  amount  subsequently 
raised  by  the  committee.  At  the  meeting  held  on  Oct.  17,  the  mem- 
bers present  decided  to  ask  for  letters  of  dismission  from  the  First 
Church,  and  also  invited  the  Calvert  St.  Church  to  join  them.  The 
Constitution  of  this  new  organization  was  immediately  acted  upon,  and 


98  Marylajid  Baptist   History. 

finally  adopted,  October  27.  This  iustniment  was  decidedly  central- 
izing in  tendency,  conferring  large  discretionary  powers  upon  a  few 
officers.  The  constitution  prescribed  that  the  bishop  and  deacons 
should  constitute  a  Board  of  Elders,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  take 
action  upon  matters  connected  with  the  general  welfare  of  the 
Church,  and  to  act  in  her  behalf  during  the  interval  between  the  busi- 
ness meetings  of  the  Church.  The  Board  of  Elders  had  the  poAver  to 
decide  upon  the  case  of  any  brother  walking  ungodly,  and  could  drop 
his  name  from  the  Church  books,  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the  Church. 
They  were  also  instructed  to  accept  candidates  for  admission,  subject 
to  confirmation  by  the  Church.  They  became  in  a  measure  the  execu- 
tive committee  of  the  Church.  The  earlier  records  contain  full  ac- 
counts  of    Ihe   Eiders'  meetings,  which  were  for  a  time  held  weekly* 

The  number  of  members  who  decided  to  secede  was  found  to  be 
ninety-two.  Of  this  number  thirteen  belonged  to  the  Levering  family, 
five  to  the  Rous  family,  and  among  the  others  were  brethren  D.  Chase, 
Leonard  Burbank,  C.  M.  Keyser,  Samuel  Scribner,  Chas.  D.  Slingluff, 
Allen  A.  Chapman,  George  W.  Norris,  A.  D.Kelly  and  A.  W.  Poulson. 
On  November  3,  a  council  of  city  Churches  met  to  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  recognizing  the  new  organization.  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams  was 
chosen  moderator,  and  A.  R.  Levering  Clerk.  Among  the  delegates 
present  were:  from  the  First  Church,  Thos.  Maybury;  Second  Church, 
Rev.  John  Healy ;  Calvert  St.  Church,  Jas.  D.  McKsan  ;  Madison  St. 
Church,*  Peter  Potts  and  Alexander  Butcher;  High  St.  Church,  Rev. 
Jonathan  Aldrich  ;  Hollins  St.  Church,*  Jas.  Morrison.  The  council 
decided  to  recognize  the  new  body  as  a  "Regular  Baptist  Church  under 
the  name  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  Church  of  the  City  of  Baltimore.'* 
The  public  recognition  services  were  held  on  the  following  evening, 
Tuesday,  Nov.  4,  1845. 

The  first  regular  business  meeting  was  held  on  Nov.  5,  Rev.  0.  W. 
Briggs  in  the  chair,  and  A.  D.  Kelly  clerk.  The  evening  was  made 
notable  by  the  accession  of  eleven  new  members,  comprising  three  fam- 
ilies, from  all  of  which  deacons  were  afterward  selected,  viz:  Wm.  and 
A.  Fuller  Crane,  L.  P.  Bayne  and  John  W.  Bail. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  for  the  election  of  permanent  oflicerg.  On 
November  1!»,  seven  brethren,  "experienced,  liberal  and  God-fearing," 
were  elected  deacons  and  trustees,  as  follows:  Daniel  Chase,  Alex.  W. 
Poulson,  A.  D.  Kelly,  A.  R.  Levering,  L.  P.  Bayne,  John  G.  Rous  and 
A.  A.  Ciiapman.  F.  A.  Levering  was  elected  treasurer,  and  W.  W. 
Lawrason  clerk.  Tlie  voting  for  pastor  resulted  in  the  unanimous 
election  of  Rev.  E.  L.  Magoon,  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  Rich- 
mond, Va.  Rev.  0.  W.  Briggs  was  invited  by  the  deacons  to  serve  as 
temporary  pastor.     At  a  meeting  held  Nov.  25,  "a  memorial  was  read 

*Long  since  extinct. 


Miuyland  Baptist  History.  99 

from  Bro.  A.  F.  Crane,  in  relation  to  the  Chiircli  choir."  Like  the 
sweet  singer  of  Israel,  this  talented  brother  early  devoted  his  musical 
gifts  to  the  cause  of  his  Master. 

The  Church  went  to  work  immediately.  The  deacons  met  weekly, 
and  regular  business  meetings  of  the  Church  were  held  quarterly.  On 
Dec.  9,  the  deacons  voted  that  "Bro.  Poulson  be  appointed  treasurer  ol 
the  Poor  fund."  For  nearly  thirty  years,  Bro.  Poulson  continued  his 
labor  of  love  in  this  office,  bringing  joy  and  comfort  into  hundreds  of 
poor,  neglected  families. 

Rev.  E.  L.  Magoon  came  on  from  Richmond,  and  had  a  conference 
with  the  deacons,  on  December  15 ;  but  after  a  subsequent  correspond- 
ence, he  finally  concluded,  in  January  following,  to  decline  the  call. 

The  declination  of  Bro.  Magoon,  who  was  a  godly  man  of  ^reat  power 
and  eloquence,  was  felt  to  be  very  discouraging,  but  the  Church  took 
a  broader  survey  of  the  field  to  secure  a  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter^ 
of  Richmond,  happening  to  be  in  Baltimore  at  this  time,  suggested  to 
Bro.  Wm.  Crane  the  name  of  Richard  Fuller,  of  South  Carolina,  as 
that  of  one  qualified  in  every  way  to  lead  the  new  organization.  The 
suggestion  was  endorsed  by  the  Church,  and  on  January  15,  1846,  they 
voted,  "We  believe  it  to  be  the  unanimous  wish  of  this  Church  that 
Bro.  Richard  Fuller  should  become  its  pastor,  and  the  deacons  of  the 
Church  are  authorized  to  correspond  with  him  on  the  subject."  The 
cori-espondence  between  Dr.  Fuller  and  the  deacons  of  the  Seventh 
Church  fornjs  a  very  interesting  chapter  in  its  history.  On  the  one 
side,  we  see  a  man  of  God  unwilling  to  leave  his  beautiful  Southern 
home  and  its  hallowed  memories,  yet  longing,  like  Paul,  to  spend  and 
be  spent  in  the  service  of  his  Master.  On  the  other  side,  we  see  a  body 
of  earnest,  zealous,  influential  brethren,  intent  upon  extending  the  Bap- 
tist cause  in  Baltimore,  and  winning  souls  to  Christ.  In  their  letter 
urging  his  acceptance  of  their  call,  they  say.  "The  village  of  Baltimore 
has  become  a  great  city;  but  alas!  our  denomination  has  not  grown 
with  her  growth  nor  strengthened  with  her  strength.  We  have  banded 
togethe'r  for  the  holy  purpose  of  elevating  her  down-trodden  standard, 
and  for  the  vindication  of  the  time-honored  Baptist  name.  We  con- 
sider that  the  time  past  is  sufficient  in  which  to  have  witnessed  the 
humiliation  of  Zion;  and  now  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  we  would 
go  forward  and  labor  for  better  things."  Such  sentiments  as  these 
touched  the  heart  of  the  young  and  ardent  pastor  of  Beaufort ;  and  on 
February  24, 1846,  he  informed  the  deacons  in  a  letter,  of  his  readiness 
to  accept  the  call,  provided  a  larger  and  more  accessible  house  of  wor- 
ship should  be  secured. 

The  terms  of  Dr.  Fuller  were  accepted  at  a  meeting  held  March  11^ 
and  a  committee  of  five  brethren,  consisting  of  W.  Crane,  Daniel  Chase, 


lOO  Mary/and  Junplisl  History. 

<J.  D.  Slinglut!',  C.  M.  Keyser,  and  ISaiimel  Scnbner,  was  aijpoiutcd  to 
submit  a  plan  for  a  new  "house  of  worship,  which  shall  be  creditable 
to  the  denomination  and  satisfactory  to  the  pastor  elect.'"  A  plan  was 
submitted  on  June  29,  and  the  committee  were  instructed  to  purchase 
51  lot  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Paca  and  Saratoga  streets,*  and  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  erection  of  the  new  building.  A.  D.  Kelly  and  L.  P. 
Bayne  were  added  to  the  committee,  D.  Chase  being  elected  chaii'man. 
A  building  fund  of  $16,400  was  soon  subscribed.  Among  the  principal 
donors  were  :  1).  Chase,  C.  M.  Keyser,  iS.  Scribner,  A.  D.  Kelly,  Wm. 
Crane  &  ISon,  A.  E.  Levering,  John  W.  Ball,  Hannah  Levering,  L.  P. 
Bayne,  C.  D.  Slingluff,  J.  D.  Armstrong,  A.  A.  Chapn)an,  J.  G.  Pons, 
A.  W.  Poulson  and  E.  Hubball. 

On  the  same  evening  upon  which  the  Church  decided  to  erect  a  new 
house  of  worship,  they  also  adopted  a  comprehensive  plan  for  benevo- 
lent purposes.  Among  the  organizations  specified  for  which  collections 
should  be  made  periodically,  were  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  So- 
ciety, Home  and  Foreign  Mission  Boards  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Con- 
vention, American  Baptist  Publication  Society,  and  the  Sunday  school 
and  poor  of  the  Church.  Bro.  A.  P.  Crane  was  appointed  to  take  charge 
of  all  moneys  collected  for  benevolent  purposes. 

On  Sept.  3,  1846,  Bro.  Briggs  resigned  the  temiiorary  pastorship  of 
the  Church,  to  accept  a  charge  in  Alexandria,  Va.  He  continued  to 
serve  however  for  several  weeks,  and  on  Oct.  4,  Kev.  G.  F.  Adams  was 
requested  to  occupy  the  pulpit  until  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Fuller.  Bro. 
Adams  signified  his  consent  the  following  week.  The  Calvert  St.  house 
was  sold,  and  the  Church  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  Madison  Sti-eet 
Church  to  meet  in  their  house  until  the  building  on  Paca  street  should 
be  completed. 

Though  without  a  pastor  or  a  house  of  their  own  as  yet,  the  Church 
work  was  earnest  and  active.  Vigorous  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted,  recommending  Missions,  and  liberal  sums  of  money  were  ap- 
propriated to  benevolent  objects,  even  though  the  Church  was  strait- 
ened for  money,  and  the  members  had  been  urged  to  pay  their  pew  rent 
in  advance.  The  contribution  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention 
was  directed  to  be  applied  to  the  erection  of  a  Baptist  chapel  in  Canton, 
China,  and  the  delegates  to  the  Convention  were  instructed  to  invite 
that  body  to  hold  its  next  meeting  in  Baltimore,  and  also  to  endeavor 
to  have  the  Foreign  Board  located  here. 

A  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Church,  in  answer  to 
a  communication  from  the  First  Church,  that  "theatre-going  was  irreg- 

*The  late  George  W.  Norris  stated  that  Dr.  Fuller  visited  BMltimore  about  this 
time,  and  was  taken  in  a  carriage  to  view  a  number  of  eligible  locations.  Finally, 
on  arriving  at  this  corner,  he  expressed  for  it  his  decided  preference,  and  the  lot 
was  at  once  chosen. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  loi 

uhir,  and  unworthy  of  the  Cliristiau  cliaracier."  bt)ine  years  after  this, 
the  Church  emphasized  its  sentiment  by  excluding  from  membership 
a  brother  for  "habitually  visiting  the  theatres,  and  playing  with  dice." 

Bright  days  were  now  dawning.  On  June  15, 1847,  the  formal  elec- 
tion of  Dr.  Fuller  to  the  pastorship  took  place,  resulting  in  his  unani- 
mous call.  On  July  5,  the  pastor-elect  presented  to  the  board  of  elders 
his  letter  of  application  for  Church  membership,  and  agreed  to  retain 
the  pulpit  for  one  year,  and  after  that  he  would  decide  definitely  up- 
on his  continued  acceptance. 

The  new  building,  which  the  pastor  was  so  influential  in  promoting, 
was  completed  early  in  June,  and  on  the  third  Sunday  of  that  month 
he  preached  its  dedicatory  sermon.  A  choir  was  now  organized,  with 
the  pastor  as  president  and  Bro.  John  Mason  as  conductor.  The  pew 
system  was  rejected  after  a  slort  trial,  and  on  August  24,  the  Board  of 
Elders  voted  that  all  the  seats  should  be  free,  which  action  was  at  once 
confirmed  by  the  Church. 

Though  from  the  very  center  of  the  slavery  section,, and  himself  an 
owner  of  slaves,  Dr.  Fuller  took  a  fraternal  interest  in  tlie  welfare  of  the 
colored  race,  and  on  September  26  he  baptized  the  first  colored  mem- 
ber of  the  Church,  Jos.  M.  Harden.  At  every  Sunday  service,  a  dozen 
or  two  of  colored  persons,  free  and  slave,  could  be  seen  in  the  west  end 
of  the  south  gallery  intently  listening  to  the  words  of  life  from  the 
eloquent  pastor.  The  number  of  colored  members  gradually  increased, 
so  that  on  Feb.  1,  1848,  with  a  view  of  instructing  them  in  liberal  giv- 
ing, they  were  requested  to  "give  aid  and  comfort  to  one  of  their  own 
number,"  Noah  Davis.  Bro.  Davis,  who  had  just  come  from  Virginia, 
having  afterwards  been  ordained  for  the  ministry,  received  letters  of 
dismission  for  himself  and  others  on  Oct.  28  to  assist  in  constituting 
"the  Second  Baptist  Church  of  Color  of  Baltimore."  Davis  afterwards 
became  pastor  of  the  organization,  subsequently  known  as  the  Sara- 
toga Street  Cliurch. 

Two  important  movements  took  place  in  the  Church  shortly  after 
the  arrival  of  Dr.  Fuller,  the  one  in  Church  government,  the  other  in 
Church  work.  The  change  in  the  administration  of  the  Church  busi- 
ness was  quite  marked.  More  vigor  was  thrown  into  the  general  busi- 
ness meetings  of  the  Church,  and  the  Board  of  Elders  was  stripped  of 
much  of  its  discretionary  and  executive  power,  and  its  name  changed 
to  "General  Committee,"  its  principal  business  being  to  act  during 
intervals  of  Church  meetings.  On  the  same  evening,  October  21, 1847, 
when  these  constitutional  changes  were  adopted,  a  plan  was  agreed 
upon  to  bring  the  Church  membership  into  closer  communion,  and  to 
develop  a  broader  missionary  spirit.  The  city  was  divided  into  twelve 
districts  and  over  each  district  was  placed  a  member  in  good  standing, 
termed  "watchman."     The  duties  of  the  watchman  were  to    have   an 


I02  Mary  land  Baptist  History. 

•oversight  over  the  Church  iiieinbership  in  his  district,  to  hold  in  the 
district  weekly  meetings  of  these  associated  members  "for  prayer  and 
reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  or  religious  conference  and  conversation." 

The  chief  object  of  these  district  meetings,  like  that  of  the  Method- 
ist class  meeting,  was  to  bind  together  in  stronger  ties  the  Church 
membership;  the  secondary  object  was  to  develop  a  missionary  spirit. 
It  was  hoped  that  brotherly  love  and  cooperation  would  take  the 
place  of  the  coercive  disciplinary  measures  of  other  Churches.  Among 
the  twelve  watchmen  were  enrolled  five  of  the  deacons.  The  watch- 
man system  continued  for  several  years,  but  was  gradually  abandoned. 
An  effort  was  made  in  January,  1853,  to  inaugurate  a  similar  system, 
but  nothing  of  any  consequence  resulted.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  subdivide  the  membership,  territorially,  into  thirty  divisions,  the 
leader  of  each  district  to  be  termed  ''supervisor." 

The  building  committee  having  erected  and  furnished  an  admirable 
edifice,  made  their  final  report,  Jan.  13,  1848.  The  entire  cost  of  the 
house  of  worship,  including  fixtures,  was  $22,016;  ground  rent,  &c. 
$1,492;  total  cost  |23,  508.  A  balance  of  $7,809  remained  due;  and 
the  committee  gave  their  joint  note  for  $6,873  of  this  debt ;  the  note 
to  be  afterward  redeemed  by  the  Church.  The  general  expenses  of  the 
Church  gradually  assumed  larger  proportions  than  was  expected,  and 
as  one  of  the  means  of  increasing  the  general  receipts,  it  was  decided 
to  abolish  the  free-seat  system  and  to  revert  to  the  former  pew  system. 
On  Feb.  1,  1848,  resolutions  were  adopted,  reading  in  part:  "Resolved, 
That  the  experiment  of  free  seats  has  failed;  the  collections  on  the 
Sabbath  and  other  facts  show  that  the  public  ai'e  not  in  favor  of  the 
system.  The  pews  therefore  must  be  sold,  and  those  not  sold  rented, 
but  the  members  of  this  Church  do  here  most  unanimously  and  cheer- 
fully throw  open  to  the  community  pews  which  they  may  buy  or  rent, 
and  do  direct  the  deacons  and  sexton  to  fill  such  pews  at  all  times 
with  such  persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  the  church." 

As  the  end  of  the  year  drew  near  for  which  Dr.  Fuller  liad  consented 
to  fill  the  pulpit,  the  members  were  filled  with  anxiety,  lest  their  beloved 
pastor  might  not  consent  to  remain  longer  with  them,  and  on  June  9, 
1848,  at  a  largely  attended  meeting,  a  resolution  was  adopted,  in  part 
as  follows:  "We,  the  members  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  Church  of  Balti- 
more, in  regular  Church  meeting  assembled,  with  hearts  filled  Avith 
gratitude,  love  and  adoration  to  our  Heavenly  Father  for  his  loving 
kindness  and  especial  care  towaid  this  branch  of  his  Church, in  grant- 
ing to  us  the  efficient  services  of  so  faithful,  so  prudent,  so  talented,  so 
useful  and  altogether  so  acceptable  and  successful  a  pastor,  hereby  Re- 
solve, That  this  Church  earnestly  desire  and  affectionately  invite  our 
beloved  pastor,  Dr.  Richard  Fuller,  to  continue  with  us  in  the  pastoral 
charge  of  this  Church."  Whatever  may  have  been  the  intentions  of  Dr. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  103 

Fuller,  the  pleading  importunity  of  the  letter  was  irresistible.  He 
decided  to  cast  in  his  future  lor,  with  the  Seventh  Church.  The  affec- 
tionate relation  between  pastor  and  people  continued  uninterrupted 
till  the  departure  of  the  pastor  to  another  scene  of  labor. 

A  very  interesting  scene  took  place  at  the  close  of  the  Church  prayer 
meeting  of  Wednesday,  October  4,  1848,  in  the  reception  for  baptism 
of  two  widely  contrasted  candidates,  Mrs.  Ann  Galloway,  aged  seventy- 
three  years,  and  Eosewell  H.  Graves,  aged  fifteen  years;  the  one  soon 
after  called  to  her  rest,  the  other  becoming  an  ambassador  for  Christ 
to  a  remote  heathen  land.  Bro.  Graves,  after  a  career  of  usefulness  in 
the  Church,  was  publicly  ordained  for  the  ministry  in  the  Seventh 
Church,  on  Sunday  evening-,  April  13,  1856.  He  had  well  prepared 
himself  for  the  varied  duties  of  a  foreign  missionary  by  a  severe  train- 
ing at  college  and  afterward  by  taking  a  full  course  of  studies  at  a 
medical  institution.  Dr.  Graves  set  sail  for  Canton  shortly  after  his 
ordination.  With  no  interruption  except  two  visits  home,  his  work  has 
continued  for  a  generation  among  the  benighted  millions  of  China. 

In  the  same  year  in  which  Bro.  Graves  was  received  into  the  Church, 
was  begun  the  concentration  of  local  mission  work  which  led,  on  Sept. 
9,  to  the  organization  of  a  city  mission  tract  society.  Bro.  Wm.  H. 
Perkins  presided  at  the  preliminary  meeting  and  Hiram  Woods  acted 
as  secretary.  At  the  suggestion  of  the  pastor,  the  title  "Young  Men's 
City  Mission  Society"  was  adopted.  Its  chief  work  was  the  holding  of 
weekly  meetings  in  the  church  and  in  private  houses,  the  distribution 
of  tracts,  and  visiting  the  sick  and  neglected.  Dr.  Fuller  took  a  warm 
interest  in  the  movement,  and  many  of  the  Church  members,  old  and 
young,  became  identified  with  the  Society.  In  1864,  the  young  men 
contributed  and  collected  $500  to  purchase  a  small,  dilapidated  chapel, 
on  Pierce  street,  near  Fremont.  They  improved  and  enlarged  it  after- 
wards at  an  expense  of  $500  more.  Here  they  planted  a  Sunday  school, 
beginning  with  twenty-two  children,  gathered  from  the  neighborhood. 
Bro.  Geo.  B.  White  was  appointed  first  superintendent,  with  about  ten 
teachers.  It  was  a  remarkably  successful  effort,  and  accomplished 
much  good  in  a  neighborhood  particularly  needing  the  light  of  God's 
word.  In  three  years,  the  average  weekly  attendance  was  25  teachers 
and  200  scholars.  In  1866  the  Society  was  incorporated.  In  1870,  its 
members  had  increased  to  eighty-seven,  two-thirds  being  active,  and 
most  of  their  efforts  were  concentrated  in  the  mission.  Occasionally, 
meetings  were  held  during  the  week  in  the  chapel  and  in  private  iiouses. 
The  school  occupied  this  place  until  1880,  when  they  removed  to  the 
large  and  comfortable  building  on  the  corner  of  Schroeder  and  Pierce 
streets,  formerly  occupied  by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 
This  was   secured  through  the  energetic  efforts  of  brethren  Joshua 


I04  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Levering,  Jiidson  Gilinuu,  Chus.  Tyler  and  G.  H  White.  The  building 
and  repairs  cost  |3,000.  It  is  free  from  debt,  and  is  in  the  care  of 
trustees  selected  by  tlie  Society.  For  a  number  of  years  the  work  of 
the  Young  Men's  Society  was  supplemented  by  a  similar  society  among 
the  ladies,  who  are  still  carrying  on  earnest  work  for  both  the  home 
and  foreign  fields. 

As  an  item  of  interest,  we  give  the  names  of  the  presidents  of  the 
Young  Men's  Society  from  its  organization  in  1848;  many  of  these 
brethren  also  served  as  superintendent  of  the  mission  school :  B.  G. 
Latimer,  Hiram  Woods,  Rosevvell  H.  Graves,  Wm.  H.  Perkins,  Jeffer- 
son Shultze,  Geo.  F.  Cobb.  Nathan  Webb,  J.  Henry  Brittain,  Geo.  B. 
White,  Dan'l  G.  Stevens,  Geo.  W.  Richardson,  John  F.  Weishampel,  jr., 
J.  F.  Mills,  Eugene  Levering,  jr.,  Joshua  Levering,  Richard  Bayne, 
W.  E.  Lindsay,  Howard  B.  Weishampel,  Frank  T.  Grady,  Wm.  B. 
Whiteside,  Lewis  W.  Wilhelm,  James  Gessford,  jr.,  H.  N".  Hammond, 
S.  J.  Hush,  Thos.  G.  Potts. 

The  encouragement  given  by  the  Church  to  the  young  men  is  a  good 
illustration  of  the  proverb,  '-There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth." 
The  spiritual  growth  of  the  Church  still  continued  undiminished. 

During  1849,  when  the  cholera  was  spreading  death  over  portions  of 
our  country,  a  number  of  special  services  were  held  "that  God  would 
mercifully  avert  from  us  the  impending  calamity,  or  graciously  sanctify 
it  to  our  everlasting  good."  On  June  1,  five  meetings  were  held  dur- 
ing the  entire  day. 

In  October,  1850,  Bro.  Wm.  H.  Perkins  was  elected  treasurer  of  the 
missionary  funds  of  the  Church,  and  has  remained  ever  since  actively 
useful  in  its  financial  matters.  The  following  year,  Rev.  Joseph  Sharp 
was  received  by  letter  and  engaged  by  the  ladies'  "sewing  society"  as  a 
city  colporter.  After  faithful  service  in  this  capacity  until  1859,  he 
was  requested  to  serve  as  assistant  to  the  pastor,  which  he  did  until 
1861,  when  he  accepted  charge  of  a  Church  in  Virginia. 

In  August,  1851,  Bro.  Henry  Wyer  was  licensed  to  preach.  On  Sep- 
tember 28,  1851,  Dr.  Isaac  Cole,  a  former  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  was,  at  his  own  request,  baptized  by  the  pastor  in 
the  Spring  Gardens.  Thousands  of  interested  spectators  witnessed  the 
novel  event.  The  same  month,  Bro.  Alexander  Butcher  and  twenty- 
two  other  members  were  received  by  letter  from  the  First  Church.  Bro. 
Butcher  became  one  of  the  most  useful  workers  of  the  Church,  and  re- 
mained such  until  his  death,  in  1884.  He  was  especially  active  in  Sun- 
day school  labor,  and  devoted  much  time  to  the  West  End  School,  just 
then  organized,  on  the  south-east  corner  of  Fayette  St.  and  Stockton 
alley,  from  which,  four  years  later,  originated  the  Franklirt  Square 
Baptist  Church. 


Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy.  105 

On  Nov.  7,  1851,  Bro.  John  Mason  resigned  the  leadership  of  the 
choir.  The  thanks  of  the  Chnrch  were  unanimously  tendered  to  him 
for  his  efficient  woi'k. 

The  year  1853  was  noted  for  the  number  of  clerical  brethren  en- 
rolled in  tlie  Seventh  Church.  It  was  represented  in  the  Association 
by  five  heralds  of  the  Cross,  brethren  Fuller,  Sharp,  Thomas  Brittain, 
Kingdon,  Burlingame.  Bro.  E.  H.  Graves  was  instructed  to  write  the 
Church  letter.  An  appeal  came  from  the  New  Orleans  Baptists,  during 
this  year,  asking  the  Church  to  grant  them  the  services  of  Dr.  Fuller, 
for  a  few  months,  to  assist  in  awakening  the  Baptist  cause  in  that  city. 
The  Church  expressed  their  sympathy,  but  declined  the  request- 
When,  however,  the  request  was  renewed,  some  years  later,  they  replied 
that  as  Dr.  Fuller  intended  shortly  to  visit  his  old  home  in  South  Car- 
olina, they  would  offer  no  obstacle  to  his  extending  his  journey  to 
New  Orleans  and  spending  several  weeks  there. 

Twenty-two  members  drew  their  letters  to  aid  in  the  organization 
of  the  Franklin  Square  Baptist  Church,  on  October  31,  1854.  At  the 
same  time,  the  West  End  Sunday  school  was  "committed  to  the  foster- 
ing care  and  protection"  of  the  new  Church. 

A.  new  mission  school  having  opened,  on  Fremont  St.,  below  Pratt, 
the  Seventh  Chufch  now  adopted  it,  and  appropriated  $100  a  year  for 
its  support.  Bro.  Butcher  became  superintendent,  and  for  a  number 
of  years,  he  and  several  other  brethren  and  sisters  carried  on  the  en- 
terprise, under  difficulties.  This  mission,  usually  called  the  Elbow 
Lane  School,  gradually  died  out,  for  want  of  regular  teachers,  but  is 
known  to  have  reformed  a  number  of  vicious  youth,  and  taught  some 
souls  the  way  to  Christ. 

In  March,  185G,  the  Church  purchased  a  section  of  ground  in  the 
Baltimore  Cemetery,  in  which  to  bury  their  deceased  poor. 

Sunday,  December  14,  1856,  was  notable  for  a  severe  storm,  which 
caused  a  very  sparse  attendance  at  divine  worship;  but  the  handful  of 
members  present  resolved  to  make  an  earnest  effort  for  an  outpouring 
of  God's  Spirit.  After  communion,  Dr.  Fuller  was  instructed  to  invite 
Elder  Jacob  Knapp  to  aid  him  in  holding  a  protracted  meeting.  Bro. 
Knapp  came  in  January  and  remained  two  months,  preaching  almost 
daily  to  crowded  audiences.  The  result  was  a  large  increase  in  the  zeal 
of  the  membership  and  the  addition  of  163  converts  by  baptism.  This 
was  the  second  visit  of  Bro.  Knapp  to  our  city,  and  like  the  first,  it 
will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who  enjoyed  the  pentecostal  season. 
The  work  of  grace  continued  for  months.  Twenty  more  baptisms  are 
reported,  and  the  pastor  labored  incessantly,  without  needed  rest. 


^o6  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

A  resolution  of  the  Church  adopted  in  July,  1857,  speaks  for  itself.* 
It  was  voted  "that  the  pastor  be  requested  to  intermit  his  arduous  la- 
bors for  a  few  weeks,  that  he  may  have  an  opportunity  of  restoring  his 
wasted  health  and  strength." 

Bro.  Christopher  West  was  elected  deacon  on  Jan.  2, 1857,  but  being 
about  to  unite  with  the  Franklin  Square  Church,  declined  the  office. 

Bro.  Daniel  Shafer,  feeling  himself  called  to  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, was  about  this  time  granted  a  letter  of  recommendation  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Baptist  Educational  Society. 

In  the  summer  of  1858,  a  general  revision  of  the  constitution  took 
place,  and  also  extensive  repairs  were  made  upon  the  church  building. 
During  the  interval  of  the  repairs,  the  Church  met  with  the  First  and 
Franklin  Square  Churches. 

The  sum  of  |900  was  appropriated  in  April,  1859,  to  assist  in  the  ed- 
ucation of  brethren  J.  Henry  Brittain  and  Eicliard  B.Cook,  at  Colum- 
bian College,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The  following  year,  $800 
were  appropriated  to  improve  the  baptistery. 

The  pastor  stated  that  he  had  received  from  the  E  Street  Churcli, 
Washington,  D.  C,  a  call  to  become  its  pastor,  but  after  prayer  for  di- 
vine guidance,  liad  declined  it.  It  may  be  added  here,  that  during 
his  ministry  at  the  Seventh  Church,  Dr.  Fuller  had  repeated  calls  of 
a  most  flattering  character  to  other  fields.  Though  he  was  offered  un- 
usually large  salaries,  in  one  case  $10,000  a  year,  he  refused  to  leave  his 
charge.  It  is  now  known  that  in  one  Aveek  he  received  two  calls  from 
noted  Churches,  neither  of  which  was  mentioned  to  this  Church. 

On  Dec.  14,  1860,  Bro.  J.  Henry  Brittain  was  licensed  to  preach. f 

The  year  1861  was  begun  with  profound  dread.  The  war-clouds  of 
"the  great  civil  struggle  hung  ominously  over  the  land.  A  national  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer  was  solemnly  observed  and  earnest  prayers  went 
up  for  a  return  of  peace  to  the  land.  Dr.  Fuller  preached  from  the 
text,  "0  Lord,  to  us  belongeth  confusion  of  face,  to  our  kings,  to  our 
princes  and  to  our  fathers,  because  we  have  sinned  against  tuee."  (Dan. 
^:  8.)  The  record  says  "the  lecture  room  was  crowded  with  our  own 
people,  who  seemed  to  be  impressed  with  a  profound  sense  of  the  criti- 
cal condition  of  the  country." 

During  the  entire  war  period,  though  he  was  deeply  attached  to  his 
native  State,  South  Carolina,  and  averse  to  the  policy  of  the  North,  he 
■conducted  himself  toward  the  Church  with  perfect  impartiality,  and 


*Thi8  was  previous  to  the  universal  custom,  since  prevailing,  of  ministerial  va- 
cations during  the  summer. 

fBro.  Brittain  entered  the  ministry  and  served  successfully  for  a  number  of 
years  in  New  Jersey.  In  1881,  he  was  called  to  the  Fuller  Memorial  Church,  in 
'•this  City,  of  which  he  is  now  the  pastor. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  107 

was  in  himself  the  principal  bond,  under  God,  which  united  the  large 
congregation,  divided  as  they  were  in  their  sympathies  during  that 
fratricidal  contest.  When  it  is  borne  in  mind,  that  while  he  was 
preaching  the  gospel  of  peace  to  his  deeply  stirred  people,  his  own 
flesh  and  blood  were  falling  in  the  struggle,  and  the  beautiful  planta- 
tion of  his  family  at  Port  Royal  was  ruined  by  the  necessities  of  war, 
and  his  home  turned  into  a  hospital  for  the  freedmen,  we  may  form  a 
notion  of  his  harrowed  feelings,  and  the  true  piety  which  enabled  him 
to  fill  Avithout  defection  the  full  measure  of  an  apostle  of  Christ.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  on  the  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  appointed  soon 
after  the  death  of  President  Lincoln,  Dr.  Fuller  concluded  a  sermon 
with  the  scriptural  injunction:  "Let  all  bitterness  and  wrath  and 
anger,  and  clamor,  and  evil  speaking,  be  put  away  from  you,  with  all 
malice,  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted,  forgiving  one 
another,  even  as  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  has  forgiven  you." 

The  regular  work  of  the  Church,  under  such  leadership,  had  not 
been  seriously  interrupted  by  the  war;  and  large  sums  were  raised  for 
foreign  missions,  at  a  time  when  our  Southern  brethren  were  unable  to 
sustain  them. 

During  nearly  the  entire  month  of  May,  1861,  special  prayer  meet- 
ings were  held  daily,  a  number  of  the  sister  Churches  taking  part  in 
the  services.  Beginning  this  year  and  continuing  for  several  years,  the 
Sunday  evening  service  in  the  summer,  was  held  at  5  P.  M.  In  April, 
1861,  Bro.  John  Kingdon  was  licensed  to  preach.  Tn  August  and  Sep- 
tember, respectively,  Bro.  Eichard  B.  Cook,  and  Rev.  Alex.  Anderson, 
a  former  Presbyterian  minister  of  Durham  county,  England,  were 
granted  a  similar  license.  In  May,  1864,  Bro.  Anderson  was  excluded 
for  repeatedly  preaching  pedo- baptist  doctrines,  in  Montgomery  county. 
In  December,  1865,  Bro.  Cook  was  granted  a  letter  to  the  Holmes- 
burg  Church,  Pa.*  In  April,  1867,  the  deacons  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  make  sundry  repairs  in  the  church,  at  a  cost  not  exceed- 
ing $5,000. 

In  the  year  1867,  the  beginnings  of  the  movement  were  made,  that  re- 
sulted several  years  later  in  the  erection  of  the  Entaw  Place  Church. 
On  October  7,  of  this  year  the  pastor  was  requested  to  preach  a  sermon 
upon  the  importance  of  establishing  a  new  organization  and  erecting  a 
new  church  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  city.  At  the  close  of  the 
services  on  Sunday  morning,  Dec.  8,  the  pastor  stated  that  Bro.  Hiram 
Woods  had  agreed  to  give  for  this  object  a  lot  of  ground  and  the  sum 
of  $5,000  in  money.     The  following  brethi*en   were  appointed  a  com- 

*Bro.  Cook  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Holnoesburg,  Pa.,  for  eleven 
years.  In  1875,  he  was  called  to  the  Second  Church  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  where 
he  remains,  having  been  highly  successful  in  both  fields. 


io8  Maryland  Baptist    History, 

mittee  to  ascertain  what  additional  amount  could  be  raised:  A.  F. 
Crane,  E.  Levering,  sr.,  H.  S.  Shryock,  E.  T.  Norris,  Chas.  Ferguson^ 
John  Cassard,  A.  J.  Lowndes,  D.  Gr.  Stevens,  W.  T.  Foster,  J.  F. 
AVeishampel,  jr.,  E.  Levering,  jr.,  J.  A.  McOomas,  Thos.  M.  Johnson. 
The  committee  made  report  on  Dec.  27,  that  the  sum  of  $30,226  had 
been  subscribed.  The  building  of  the  new  Eutaw  Place  Church  was 
shortly  after  begun.  On  motion.of  Bro.  Poulson,  the  following  brethren 
were  dismissed  on  Dec.  11,  1868,  at  their  own  request,  to  form  a  body 
politic,  to  hold  in  trust  the  property  and  vested  interests  of  the  new 
Church:  Hiram  Woods,  Eugene  Levering,  sr.,  A.  Fuller  Crane,  Henry 
S.  Shryock,  Edward  T.  Norris,  Thos.  M.  Johnson  and  Dan'l  C  Stevens. 
As  the  withdrawal  of  the  members  was  only  nominal,  to  satisfy  a  legal 
necessity,  the  Church  clerk  was  instructed  to  retain  their  letters  of 
dismission. 

At  the  regular  quarterly  business  meeting  of  the  Church  held  Jan* 
4,  1869,  a  series  of  resolutions,  offered  by  the  pastor,  relating  to  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Lord's  Supper,  was  adopted  and  ortlered  to  be  printed. 
These  resolutions  emphasized  particularly  :  "1.  The  necessity  of  a  vis- 
ible Church.  2.  Baptism  before  communion.  3.  That  Baptists  who 
partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper  in  a  pedobaptist  Church  acted  without 
regard  to  true  charity  and  in  opposition  to  the  Scriptures."  The  res- 
olutions concluded,  that  the  blessings  of  God  could  only  be  secured  by 
"a  calm,  saintful,  self-denying  adhesion  to  duty  and  consistency  in  all 
things." 

The  year  1869  was  made  memorable  by  the  arrival  in  Baltimore  of 
the  noted  evangelist,  Eev.  A.  B.  Earle.  On  July  6,  the  pastor  recom- 
mended that  Mr.  Earle  be  invited  to  hold  special  services  in  the 
church  in  the  ensuing  October  and  November.  On  this  same  evening, 
the  question  arose  "whether  a  member  of  the  Disciples'  Church  could 
be  admitted  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Church  without  being  re- 
baptized."  It  was  decided  to  settle  each  case  that  might  arise,  upon 
its  own  individual  merits. 

Bro.  Earle  preached  during  December,  1869,  and  continued  nightly 
until  the  middle  of  the  following  February.  Hundreds  of  eager  people 
were  unable  to  enter  the  crowded  doors;  and  at  the  close  of  each  Sun- 
day service,  scores  of  converts  were  buried  in  the  waters  of  baptism. 
One  hundred  and  thirty-two  candidates  were  received  into  membership, 
among  them  many  of  the  Sunday  school  scholars. 

On  Nov.  7,  1880,  brethren  Kichard  Bayne,  W.  H.  Perkins  and  John 
Cassard  were  appointed  a  committee  to  devise  means  for  introducing 
the  "envelope  system"  into  the  Church.  Their  report  has  been  the  ba- 
sis of  all  subsequent  work  in  systematic  contributions. 

The  time  was  now  drawing  near  for  the  separation  of  the  member- 
ship, which  had  been  anticipated  with  mingled  hope  and  fear.     On 


Maryland  Baptist  liistory.  109 

Monday,  Feb.  6,  1871,  a  resolution  was  adopted,  authorizing  the  mem- 
bers interested  in  the  Eutaw  Phice  movement,  to  hold  a  preliminary 
meeting,  which  was  convened  on  the  following  Monday.  The  neces- 
sary arrangements  were  then  made  to  organize  and  remove  to  the  new 
building.  Dr.  Fuller  was  called  to  the  pastorship  of  the  Eutaw  Place 
Church,  and  on  February  17,  one  hundred  and  thirty  members  asked 
for  letters  of  dismission  to  migrate  to  the  new  scene  of  labor.  Addition- 
al letters  were  granted  from  time  to  time,  so  that  within  a  few  months 
they  reached  to  one  hundred  and  eighty-five. 

Although  Dr.  Fullei-did  not  send  his  resignation  to  the  Church  un- 
til xVIarch  31.  a  comn)ittee.  consisting  of  brethren  Poulson,  Butcher,  W. 
Bayne,  C  M.  Keyser,  and  J.  Frank  Brown,  was  appointed  on  Feb.  24, 
to  open  up  correspondence  in  regard  to  obtaining  a  new  pastor.  Dr. 
Fuller  did  not  separate  himself  from  his  old  flock  without  numy  pangs 
of  regret,  and  his  repeated  visits  and  letters  to  the  Church  indicate  the 
intense  interest  he  felt  in  the  society  where  he  had  labored  so  faithfully 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

There  seemed  to  be  a  great  unanimity  among  the  members,  to  call 
to  their  palpit  one  of  three  able  ministers  who  were  known  to  hold  most 
affectionate  relations  with  their  old  pastor,  viz:  Eev.  Dr.  Jas.  Cuthbert, 
of  Washington,  D.  C,  Rev.  Lucius  Cuthbert,  of  Aiken,  S.  C,  and  Eev. 
Dr.  W.  T.  Brantly,  of  Atlanta,  Geo.  All  were  written  to,  but  their  replies 
were  so  discouraging,  that  the  committee  on  the  pulpit  resigned.  An- 
other committee,  consisting  of  brethren  Wm.  Bayne,  W.  H,  Perkins, 
A.  W.  Poulson,  J.  Frank  Brown  and  Samuel  Bevan,  was  appointed 
to  recommend  available  names.  A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  ap- 
pointed for  March  31,  that  God  would  enlighten  the  members  to  discern 
his  will. 

On  April  3,  a  series  of  resolutions,  expressing  the  profound  sorrow  of 
the  Church  at  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Fuller,  was  unanimously  adopted. 

At  a  large  gathering  of  the  members  on  April  17, 1871.  Bro.  Poulson 
in  the  chair,  the  Church  unanimously  elected  Rev.  Dr,  W.  T.  Brantly 
to  the  vacant  pulpit.  Fervent  prayers  were  offered  that  he  would 
be  able  to  give  an  affirmative  answer.  Several  letters  passed  between 
him  and  the  committee,  but  it  was  not  until  June  14,  that  Dr.  Brantly 
finally  gave  a  conditional  assent.  The  Church  agreed  unanimously  to 
the  conditions  imposed.  A  letter  was  received  from  the  Second  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Atlanta,  Geo.,  earnestly  requesting  this  Church  to  de- 
sist from  their  call ;  but  on  September  29,  Dr.  Brantly  and  his  family 
arrived  here,  and  he  immediately  assumed  charge  as  pastor.  The  re- 
lations begun  so  auspiciously,  continued  on  in  uninterrupted  harmony 
and  brotherly  love.  The  wide  gap  made  in  the  Church  membership 
57  the  colonizing  at   Eat-iw    Place,  had  greatly    reduced  its  working 


I  lo  Maryland  Baptist  /fistory. 

force,  and  the  new  pastor  now  labored  faithfully  to  bring  up  its  former 
prosperity  ;  and  among  other  endeavors,  was  particularly  desirous  of 
making  the  younger  members  recognize  their  responsibility. 

In  1873,  the  Pierce  St.  Chapel  was  further  enlarged  and  improved, 
at  a  cost  of  about  $500.  In  October,  1874,  a  resolution  was  adopted  to 
purchase  a  parsonage,  which  was  accomplished  by  generous  individual 
subscriptions.  Dr.  Brantly  insisted  upon  the  Church  retaining  $1,000 
annually  Prom  his  salary,  in  return  for  the  occupancy  of  the  dwelling. 

During  the  fall  of  187G,  the  Church  were  depressed  by  the  continued 
illness  of  their  late  pastor.  Dr.  Fuller,  and  on  October  26,  the  hearts 
of  all  were  filled  with  pain  at  the  announcement  of  his  death.  The 
deepest  sorrow  weighed  down  the  older  members  of  the  Church,  when 
they  recalled  the  mighty  work  done  by  the  beloved  Fuller,  and  knew 
that  his  great  heart,  throbbing  with  divine  love  and  human  sympathy, 
was  stilled  in  death.  Brethren  W.  H.  Perkins,  John  Curlett,  Geo.  W. 
Eichardson  and  the  pastor,  Dr.  Brantly,  were  appointed  a  committee, 
to  draw  up  appropriate  resolutions. 

In  November  following,  special  services  were  held,  the  pastor  being 
assisted  by  Kev.  J.  L.  Hutson,  of  Va.  The  Spirit  of  God  brooded  over 
the  meetings,  and  a  score  or  more  of  believers  were  added  to  the  Church 
by  baptism. 

On  May  17, 1880,  the  Church  authorized  the  purchase  of  the  chapel 
on  Schroeder  St.,  heretofore  referred  to,  and  directed  the  deed  to  be 
made  in  the  name  of  the  Young  Men's  City  Mission  Society. 

The  "Boys'  Prayer  Meetings,"  inaugurated  in  August,  1881,  have 
continued  to  supply  a  need  long  felt,  in  giving  young  converts  an  op- 
portunity to  mingle  more  intimately  in  Christian  exercises  and  receive 
from  one  another  sympathy  and  encouragement  in  the  severe  trials 
that  often  beset  them. 

On  Monday,  March  6,  1883,  the  readers  of  the  Baltimore  Sun  were 
shocked  to  learn  that,  within  a  few  hours  after  leaving  his  pulpit,  on  the 
previous  evening,  'Dr.  Brantly  had  been  summoned  into  the  presence  of 
his  Maker.  So.appalling  was  the  news,  that  many  of  the  members  who 
had  seen  him  in  the  vigor  of  strength  in  the  pulpit  the  preceding  day, 
refused  to  believe  it,  and  in  a  short  time,  scores  of  the  stricken  flock  had 
gathered  at  the  parsonage  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  rumor.  Alas  ! 
the  faithful  laborer  had  been  summoned  away.  By  a  general  unan- 
imity, the  members  gathered  at  the  church  at  the  close  of  the  day, 
and  a  special  meeting  was  called  to  take  action  on  the  great  and 
sudden  loss  sustained  by  the  Church.  Bro.  Judson  Gilman  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  after  the  stillness  was  broken  by  the  sorrowful  words 
of  many  brethren,  a  committee  consisting  of  brethren  W.  H.  Perkins, 
Milton  Hammond,  Charles  Tyler,  B\  T.  Grady  and  Henry  E.  Crane, 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 1 1 

was  appointed,  to  draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  feelings  of  the 
Church  on  the  death  of  their  beloved  pastor  .Resolutions  of  condolence 
were  received  from  Baptist  bodies,  North  and  South.  A  committee, 
consisting  of  brethren  Charles  Tyler,  F.  T.  Grady,  W.  H.  Perkins,  H. 
R.  Crane  and  L.  Cross  was  appoined  on  March  24,  to  make  preparation 
for  holding  special  services  in  memory  of  Dr.  Brantly,  and  to  erect  in 
the  church  a  suitable  tablet  to  commemorate  his  virtues. 

The  memorial  services  were  held  on  Monday  evening,  May  1,  in  the 
main  room  of  the  church.  Nearly  all  of  the  Baptist  ministers  of  the 
City  were  present  at  the  services.  Addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  W. 
W.  Landrum,  of  Ga.,  Rev.  Geo.  E.  Rees,  of  Philadelphia,  Rev.  Dr.  C.  C. 
Bitting,  of  Baltimore  and  Rev.  Dr.  H.  H.  Tucker,  of  Atlanta,  Ga. 

While  the  church  was  still  in  mourning,  an  invitation  was  extended 
to  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Frost,  of  Staunton,  Va.,  to  hold  a  series  of  special  meet-' 
ings.  These  meetings  were  held  for  two  weeks,  beginning  onlVIarch  20, 
and  some  of  the  Sunday  school  scholars  were  buried  in  baptism,  and 
united  with  the  Church. 

On  May  29,  1882,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Thomas,  of  Brooklyn,  received  a 
call  from  the  Church  to  become  its  pastor,  but  though  Dr.  Thomas 
wrote  to  the  Church  that  no  other  place  on  earth  appealed  more 
strongly  than  Baltimore,  he  felt  it  impossible  to  sever  his  present  pas- 
toral relations. 

Rev.  Thos.  D.  Anderson,  jr.,  of  Portland,  Maine,  was  elected  on  Oct. 
2,  1882,  to  fill  the  vacant  pulpit.     The  call  of  the  Church  was  heard. 

On  Nov.  17,  the  letter  of  Bro.  Anderson  was  received  and  accepted, 
and  the  present  pastoral  relation  begun. 

It  is  somewhat  significant  that  the  last  words  of  the  late  beloved 
pastor,  Brantly,  were  unconsciously  echoed  by  the  present  pastor,  in 
his  letter  accepting  the  call.  In  the  sermon  preached  by  Dr.  Brantly 
a  few  hours  before  his  death,  the  missionary  spirit  of  the  great  apostle, 
Paul  of  Tarsus,  was  warmly  eulogized,  upon  the  text,  "Straightway  he 
preached  Christ  in  the  synagogues  that  he  is  the  Son  of  God."  The 
closing  words  of  the  letter  of  acceptance  of  Bro.  Anderson  breathed  a 
similar  Pauline  spirit :  "I  come  then,  brethren,  with  full  purpose  of- 
heart  to  labor  among  you,  and  with  you  ;  and  may  we  not  pray  and 
hope  that  the  same  spirit  who  leads  the  pastor  to  labor  with  the  Church 
may  cause  the  Church  to  labor  with  the  pastor,  so  that,  as  with  Paul 
among  the  Romans,  'wlien  I  come  to  you,  I  may  come  in  the  fullness 
of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.'" 

The  Seventh  Church  has  long  since  realized  the  high  hopes  enter- 
tained by  its  wise  founders.  For  many  years,  it  has  continued  to  oc- 
cupy a  front  rank,  not  only  among  the  Baptist  Churches  of  Baltimore, 
but  throughout  the  entire  South.     Hundreds  and  probably  thousands. 


112  Mdrylaiid  J^aptist  IIis(oi-v. 

ot  men  and  women  liave  liad  occasion  to  thank  the  Lord  Jesns  that 
here  was  phinted  one  of  his  watcli-towers.  Its  influence  has  gone  forth, 
like  the  stream  tliat  issues  from  tlie  throne;  and  to  discant  corners  of 
the  earth  the  Word  iuis  been  carried  by  its  members  to  the  worshipers 
of  wood  and  stone.  Tlie  Church  has  been  known  far  and  wide  for  its 
liberality.  Many  of  its  members  can  recall  the  almost  incessant  pleas 
for  aid,  made  during  and  after  the  war  by  Churches  in  distress,  and  few 
went  away  empty-handed.  Many  godly  men  widely  known  throughout 
the  community  have  here  waited  upon  the  Lord;  many  of  these  patient 
laborers  have  gone  to  their  reward. 

Among  the  deacons  of  the  Church  have  been  enrolled  the  names  of 
Daniel  Chase,  A.  W.  Poulson,  Alex.  D.  Kelly,  A.  R.  Levering,  L. 
P.  Bayne,  John  C  Rous,  A.  A.  Chapman,  Wm.  Crane.  P.  A.  Levering, 
John  W.  Ball,  Samuel  Hcribner,  Samuel  Bevan,  Alexander  Butcher,  A. 
Fuller  Crane,  Wm.  Bayne,  J.  Frank  Brown,  Geo.  G.  Tyler  and  Dr. 
Jndson  Gilman. 

Upon  three  occasions,  in  1853,  1868  and  1884,  the  meeting  of  the 
Southern  Baptist  Convention  was  held  with  the  Seventh  Church. 

One  of  the  most  important  movements  undertaken  by  members  of 
this  Church  was  the  establishment  of  its  Sunday  school.  It  origin- 
ated in  February,  1846,  in  the  Calvert  St,  meeting  house.  When  that 
building  was  vacated  by  the  Se.enth  Church,  the  little  school  became 
disintegrated,  and  the  teachers  returning  to  the  several  Churches  to 
which  they  belonged,  took  many  of  the  scholars  with  them.  A  hand- 
ful of  children  attended  the  Church  services  during  its  perambulatory 
period,  in  1846-7,  but  no  regular  sessions  of  the  school  occurred  till 
the  spring  of  1847,  when  a  hall  on  the  corner  of  Green  and  Saratoga 
Streets  was  secured,  until  the  completion  of  the  present  church  edifice, 
in  June.  On  the  first  Sunday  in  July,  the  school  began  its  regular 
services,  which  have  continued  since  without  interruption. 

Bro.  George  W.  Norris  was  the  first  superintendent,  and  conducted 
the  school  for  about  four  years.  Bro.  John  W.  Ball  served  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  a  year  or  two.  Bro.  A.  D.  Kelly  succeeded,  for  two  years. 
In  1855,  Bro.  A.  F.  Crane  was  elected,  and  was  continuously  reelected 
for  seventeen  years.  During  his  term  of  service,  the  school  was  brought 
to  a  high  degree  of  prosperity,  and  its  reputation,  with  that  of  its  genial 
superintendent,  spread  widely  through  the  South.  Many  of  the 
present  members  of  all  our  Churches  recall  with  pleasure  the  lessons 
and  the  hymns  taught  them  in  early  years  by  Bro.  Crane.  Frequent 
alterations  were  made  in  the  lecture  room,  to  accommodate  the  growth 
of  the  school ;  which  continues  to  be  one  of  the  largest  in  the  city. 

Since  the  resignation  of  Bro.  Crane,  the  responsible  office  of  superin- 
tendent has  been  filled  by  brethren  Wm.  Bayne,  Henry  R.  Crane,  F.  T- 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 13 

Gmdy,  Andrew  K.  Boteler,  and  Charles  M.  Keyser,  the  present  incum- 
bent.  One  of  the  features  of  the  school,  is  the  annual  distribution  of 
the  "Sevan  premiums"  purchased  from  a  fund  left  for  this  purpose  by 
the  late  Samuel  Bevan. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Church  are  as  follows :  Pastor,  Rev.  Thos. 
D.  Anderson;  Deacons:  Dr.  Milton  Hammond,  Charles  Tyler,  A.  K. 
Boteler,  Chas.  M.  Keyser,  F.  S.  BullocL  Treasurer,  W.  H.  Perkins. 
Clerk,  Thos.  G.  Potts.    Xumber  of  members,  581. 


1846. 

HUNTINGDON  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
VV^AVERLY. 

In  1835,  Mr.  Frederick  Harrison,  then  U.  S.  civil  engineer,  gathered 
a  small  Sunday  school,  which  met  during  the  summer  in  an  old  build- 
ing, formerly  used  as  a  barracks  by  the  soldiers  of  Fort  McHenry.  It 
was  located  near  the  first  toll  gate  on  the  York  Road,  and  was  occupied 
by  the  soldiers  in  the  summer  and  fall,  to  escape  the  malaria  prevalent 
at  the  Fort  during  that  season.  Mr.  Harrison  was  then  a  member  of 
the  First  Church,  with  which  he  still  holds  fellowship,  though  residing 
some  distance  from  the  city,  beyond  Waverly;  and  is  now  living  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years. 

During  that  summer.  Rev.  John  Breckenridge  and  Rev.  Stephen  P. 
Hill,  of  Baltimore,  preached  each  week  alternately  in  that  room.  In 
the  winter,  when  the  school  was  discontinued,  meetings  were  held  on 
Sunday  evenings,  and  were  sustained  by  ministers  of  different  denomi- 
nations, mostly  Baptist.  Among  those  who  preached  were  Revs,  Wm. 
Laws,  G.  F.  Adams,  Wm.  Maybury  and  Joliii  A.  McKean. 

About  1843,  as  stated  in  the  sketch  of  High  Street  Church,  several 
young  men  of  that  congregation  aided  greatly  in  the  establishment  of 
this  as  a  permanent  mission.  Among  those  who  fostered  the  effort,  was 
Bro.  Franklin  Wilson,  then  quite  a  young  man,  and  a  member  of  the 
First  Church.  His  earliest  exercise  as  a  regular  preacher  began  here, 
and  he  held  stated  services  every  Sunday  evening  during  the  summer 
of  1844.  The  congregations  increased,  until  the  room  in  the  barracks 
became  too  small  to  hold  them.  About  this  time,  a  small  chapel  was 
erected  near,  by  Mr.  Jas.  Wilson,  whose  useful  life  is  referred  to  in  the 
history  of  the  First  Church.  The  house  was  dedicated  October  20,  of 
this  year.      Revs.  S.  P.  Hill  preached.  Rev.  John  Healy  and  F.  Wilson 


114  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

assisted,  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Webster  and  Ball  of  the  M.  P.  Church,  also 
participated.  At  night,  Bro.  Wilson  preached  from  the  text,  "Holiness 
becometh  thy  house,  0  Lord."  Mr.  James  Wilson  said,  "The  chapel 
was  paid  for  when  the  first  soul  was  converted  in  it."  He  bequeathed 
it  with  the  ground  on  which  it  stood,  to  trustees  named  in  his  will,  to 
be  occupied  by  any  evangelical  denomination  approved  by  them.  By 
their  consent  the  Baptists  took  possession. 

In  April,  1845,  a  work  of  grace  was  enjoyed  and  many  souls  were  led 
to  rejoice  in  hope  of  salvation.  In  June,  five  converts  were  baptized 
in  Stony  Run,  by  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill,  Bro.  Wilson,  though  acting  pastor, 
not  yet  being  an  ordained  minister.  On  this  occasion,  one  of  the  can- 
didates, on  coming  up  out  of  the  water,  was  so  overjoyed  that  he 
clasped  Bro.  Wilson  in  his  arms  until  he  also  became  dripping  wet. 

Rev.  B.  Griffith,  a  licentiate  of  the  First  Church,  preached  for  this 
mission  in  1845,  during  the  temporary  absence  of  its  regular  supply. 

In  February,  1846,  there  was  another  revival  and  an  ingathering  of 
converts,  which  culminated  in  the  formation  of  a  Church.  On  May  4> 
following,  a  council  of  thi  rty  members  of  the  First,  High  St.,  Second, 
Madison  St.,  and  Sixth*  Baptist  Churches,  convened  at  Waverly  and 
advised  such  organization.  Thereupon  eight  brethren  and  sisters  were 
constituted  as  the  Huntingdon  Baptist  Church.  Seventeen  more  were 
shortly  added  by  baptism.  In  November,  the  Church  joined  our  Asso- 
ciation, and  reported  twenty-five  members,  with  Rev.  F.  Wilson  as  pas- 
tor, who  remained  until  April,  1847,  when  he  resigned,  to  take  charge 
of  the  High  St.  Church.  He  had  been  in  charge  three  years  and  bap- 
tized twenty-three  persons. 

On  July  1,  1847,  Rev.  Wm.  Wilder  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and 
was  ordained  September  5.  Dr.  Fuller  preached.  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams 
oflered  prayer.  Rev.  S.  P.  Hill  delivered  the  charge,  and  Rev.  F.  Wilson 
gave  the  hand  of  fellowship.  Bro.  Wilder  remained  nearly  three  years? 
baptized  seventeen  converts,  and  removed  to  Pennsylvania. 

From  April,  1850,  the  field  was  supplied  by  various  ministers,  chief- 
ly by  Rev.  J.  H.  Phillips,  until  January,  1852,  when  Rev.  Thos.  Jones 
took  charge.  This  brother  served  earnestly  until  March,  1854,  when 
he  resigned,  and  removed  to  Rockville.  For  three  years,Bro.  Phillips, 
Rev.  Levi  Thome  and  Rev.  F.  L.  Kregel,  successively  acted  as  pastor^ 
but  the  membership  was  now  reduced  to  eighteen.  In  1857,  Bro.  Phil- 
lips preached  again  for  some  months  ;  the  Church  was  revived,. and  twO' 
converts  were  added  by  baptism. 

For  the  next  seven  years,  from  1859  to  the  close  of  1865,  Rev.  John 


*The  Sixth  Church  was  organized  in  1844.  It  lasted  but  a  short  time,  as  did 
the  Fifth  Church,  and  the  Madison  Street  Church.  Dr.  Fuller  once  remarked 
that  the  name  of  the  "Seventh"  Church  was  a  standing  reproach  to  the  Baptists, 
of  Baltimore. 


Majyland  Baptist  History.  1 1 5 

Berg  served  as  pastor.  The  Church,  however,  from  various  causes, 
experienced  no  material  advance,  only  two  members  having  been  re- 
ceived by  baptism  and  six  by  letter,  in  all  that  time.  Bro.  I.  F.  Stid- 
ham  then  succeeded  to  the  place,  labored  efficiently  for  about  two  years, 
and  baptized  seven  persons.  On  Feb.  23,  1868,  he  resigned,  to  accept 
charge  of  a  Church  at  Schuylkill  Falls,  Philadelphia.  Bro.  Berg  re- 
sumed charge  and  remained  for  over  four  years,  during  which  time  his 
earnest  efforts  resulted  in  the  baptism  of  nineteen  converts.  Failing 
health  now  compelled  his  resignation.     He  died  in  1873. 

About  this  time,  the  membership  had  reached  to  nearly  fifty,  and  it 
was  deemed  necessary  for  the  development  of  our  cause  that  a  larger 
house  of  worship  should  be  erected.  A  lot  on  the  corner  of  Waverly 
Avenue  and  Barclay  St.,  (then  unopened,)  a  short  distance  from  the  old 
chapel,  was  deeded  by  the  trustees  of  the  estate  of  James  Wilson,  and 
on  it  there  was  erected  a  new  building,  upon  a  plan  which  was  in  some 
favor  at  that  time.  Talraage's  Tabernacle,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  subse- 
quently destroyed  by  fire,  was  a  model  of  the  peculiar  construction  ;  and 
Bethany  M.  E.  Church,  Baltimore,  is  similar.  It  was  built  of  frame 
studding,  filled  in  with  brick,  and  covered  within  and  without  with  a 
sheeting  of  corrugated  iron  plates.  The  building  was  designed  by  L. 
B.  Valk,  aNew  York  architect,  and  cost  $13,000.  Bro.  Berg  was  very 
urgent  for  the  adoption  of  this  new  style  of  architecture,  but  it  has  not 
proved  satisfactory  in  this  case.  The  walls  were  found  to  be  too  hot  in 
summer  and  too  cold  in  winter.  This  has  been  partially  remedied,  by 
lathing  and  plastering  the  interior,  and  putting  on  a  shingle  roof. 
A  neat  chapel  and  Sunday  school  room  has  also  been  built  on  the  rear 
of  the  lot.  The  cost  of  this  church  and  the  improvements  was  paid 
by  contributions  from  the  Churches  generally,  a  large  proportion  from 
the  Wilson  family,  and  from  friends  in  the  neighborhood. 

In  March,  1873,  Rev.  0.  F.  Flippo  was  called  to  this  charge,  as  a 
missionary  of  the  Association.  Bro.  Flippo  published  the  "Baptist 
Visitor"  during  his  residence  in  Waverly,  and  otherwise  performed  an 
active  part  in  the  spread  of  Baptist  principles.  He  also  infused  ad- 
ditional interest  into  the  Church,  baptized  thirty-four  converts,  and 
reported  seventy-one  members  in  October,  1877 ;  when  he  resigned,  to 
settle  in  Sufiblk,  Va. 

In  April,  1878,  Rev.  E.  M.  Barker,  of  New  Jersey,  accepted  the  call 
of  this  Church  and  rendered  faithful  service  about  four  years,  when 
the  infirmities  of  age  compelled  him  to  resign.  This  venerable  brother 
is  now  spending  his  last  days  with  his  son,  in  Baltimore,  after  a  long 
and  useful  career  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

Rev.  E.  B.  Morris  was  elected  pastor  June  29, 1882,  since  which  date 
the  Church  has  increased  considerably  in  active  membership.  Twenty- 


ii6  Maryland  Baplis/  Ilisiory. 

four  have  been  received  by  baptism  and  thirteen  by  letter.  Twelve 
have  been  dismissed  and  others  are  deceased.  Membership  at  present, 
ninety.  As  this  Church  originated  in  a  Sunday  school,  so  it  has  ever 
since  been  in  connection  with  one.  For  the  past  eight  years  Bro.  Chas. 
H.  Bond  has  been  superintendent.  The  teachers  and  scholars  number 
179.  The  trustees  of  the  Church,  to  whom  the  trustees  of  Jas.  Wilson 
have  transferred  the  property,  are  Thos.  J.  Wilson,  N.  M.  Rittenhouse, 
L.  Scott  Carswell,  G.  J.  Koche,  Henry  Taylor,  J.  Wilson  Brown, 
Chas.  H.  Bond,  and  the  pastor. 

The  first  deacons  were  Robert  Jones  and  Lewis  Elder.  The  follow- 
ing brethren  have  served  since:  James  H.  and  Geo.  W.  Stran,  B.  M. 
Cook,  R.  H.  Hyde,  John  Watson,  Jesse  Mathews,  J.  Wilson  Brown  and 
L.  Scott  Carswell ;  the  last  named  is  at  present  serving  as  treasurer  and 
clerk. 

Among  the  most  generous  friends  of  the  Church  have  been  Frederick 
Harrison,  Thomas  J.  Wilson,  Wm.  Patterson,  Miss  Eliza  Wilson,  Mrs. 
Henry  Patterson,  Mrs.  W.  Hall  Harris,  Mrs.  Robert  P.  Brown,  and  its 
first  pastor.  Rev.  F.  Wilson,  without  whose  fostering  care  the  organi- 
zation would  probably  never  have  existed. 

Having  collected  the  necessary  money,  the  Church  is  now  building  a 
parsonage,  on  a  lot  of  ground  donated  by  sister  F.  L.  Aull.  The  ladies' 
aid  society  has  done  a  great  work  in  the  raising  of  funds  for  this  and  all 
the  enterprises  of  the  Church.  At  this  time  there  is  no  debt  or  other 
discouragement  upon  this  people,  but  they  are  full  of  cheerful  courage 
for  the  future.  There  is  no  reason  now,  why  the  Huntingdon  Church 
should  not  take  a  leading  place  in  the  fast  increasing  community  of 
Waverly. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 1 7 


1847. 
CUMBERLAND  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Fkom  the  beginning,  the  object  of  the  Maryland  Baptist  Union  As- 
sociation has  been  to  plant  Churches  where  they  wonld  be  most  useful. 
The  important  coal  and  iron  interests  of  Cumberland  led  them  to  be- 
lieve that  place  was  a  desirable  position  for  our  work.  Therefore,  in 
December,  1846,  the  Executive  Board  sent  Rev.  George  F.  Adams  and 
Eev.  Franklin  Wilson  to  survey  the  field.  They  found  five  or  six  Bap- 
tists there,  and  sought  to  secure  a  suitable  lot  on  which  to  build  a  church 
edifice  in  the  future,  but  found  no  land-owner  willing  to  sell  or  lease 
ground  for  a  church  on  any  better  terms  than  for  any  secular  purpose. 
The  matter  was  reported  to  the  Board,  and  there  rested. 

The  Board  appointed  as  a  missionary  to  Cumberland,  Benjamin  Grif- 
fith, a  young  brother,  a  licentiate  of  the  First  Church  in  Baltimore. 
Mr.  Griffith  entered  upon  his  duties  in  June,  1847.  He  went  there  and 
secured  a  small  room  over  an  engine  house,  where  he  preached  and 
made  known  to  his  hearers  his  object  to  organize  a  Baptist  Church. 
He  found  one  gentleman  and  five  ladies,  who  agreed  to  unite  with  him. 

On  July  22,  1847,  they  met  for  that  purpose.  They  were  Benjamin 
Griffith,  Travis  Coppage,  Harriet  R.  Stevens,  Sarah  Weldon,  Matilda 
A.  Wardwell,  Catherine  Durham  and  Sophie  Kuhn.  They  assumed 
the  name  of  the  "First  Baptist  Church  of  Cumberland."  At  their  first 
meeting  they  elected  Bro.  Griffith  as  pastor.  Tavo  months  later,  a  man 
and  his  wife  were  received  by  letter.  The  first  baptism  occurred  in 
January,  1848.  Mrs.  Catherine  Cross  was  the  candidate.  Although 
the  pastor  was  a  missionary  of  the  Board  in  Baltimore,  yet  the  Church 
adopted  a  resolution  that  each  member  should  contribute  to  his  sup- 
port. In  anticipation  of  building  a  church,  an  act  of  incorporation 
was  obtained  under  the  law,  May  27,  1848.  The  body  corporate  con- 
sisted of  the  pastor,  ex-officio,  Benjamin  Coates,  J.  H.  Tucker,  A.  F. 
Roberts,  Franklin  Wilson  and  Richard  Fuller. 

In  November  following,  the  Church  was  received  into  our  Associa- 
tion, reporting  as  having  baptized  five,  received  by  letter  ten  ;  their 
present  number  nineteen,  more  than  double  the  original  number. 
This  was  encouraging,  especially  as  they  labored  under  great  dis- 
advantage for  want  of  a  convenient  place  of  worship. 

The  Church  now  determined  on  the  erection  of  a  suitable  house. 
A  lot  was  secured  and  a  subscription  opened'for  the  purpose  of  build- 
ing.    Each  member  agreed  to  pay  twelve  cents  per  week,  to  meet  the 


1 1 8  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

payments  on  the  lot  as  they  shonld  become  due.  The  principal  part  of 
the  money  for  the  erection  of  the  house  was  furnished  by  the  Baptists 
of  Baltimore.  The  building  was  begun  and  progressed  slowly,  and 
although  some  difficulty  arose  in  consequence  of  the  contractor 
not  fulfilling  his  engagement,  the  house  was  ready  for  dedication  by 
November,  1849.  On  the  fourth  of  that  month,  it  was  publicly  dedi- 
cated to  Divine  worship  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  Eev.  Dr.  Fuller 
andEev.  Franklin  Wilson,  from  Baltimore,  performed  the  service.  The 
house  was  densely  filled.  At  the  close  of  the  afternoon  session,  the  or- 
dinance of  baptism  was  administered  by  the  pastor  in  the  baptistery. 
John  Schilling,  afterwards  a  deacon,  was  the  candidate. 

After  the  opening  of  their  house,  the  congregation  was  very  consider- 
ably increased.  Baptisms  were  frequent  and  were  always  attended  by 
large  and  attentive  audiences.  Indeed  there  was  quite  a  revival  of  re- 
ligion in  the  Church.  The  Sunday  school  grew  rapidly  in  interest  and 
in  numbers. 

Mr.  Griffith  continued  to  minister  to  the  Church  till  April,  1851, 
when  he  removed  to  Philadelphia  and  took  charge  of  the  New  Market 
Street  Church.  Under  his  ministry  there  were  added  to  the  Church 
twenty-four  by  baptism  and  twenty  by  letter  from  other  Churches. 
His  mission,  considering  all  circumstances,  was  regarded  as  successful. 

Eev.  John  H.  Phillips  was  now  chosen  pastor.  He  accepted  the 
charge  in  April,  1851,  and  resigned  in  September,  1852.  There  was  no 
special  advance  during  that  period. 

The  Church  was  without  pastoral  oversight  till  March,  1853,  when 
Eev.  Stejohen  W.  Price  was  unanimously  elected  pastor.  Mr.  Price 
was  a  native  of  Burmah,  the  son  of  Dr.  Price,  one  of  the  early  mission- 
aries sent  to  that  country  by  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Baptist  General  Convention.  His  mother  was  a  native  of  Burmah, 
whom  Dr.  Price  had  married  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife.  Mr. 
Price  was  a  student  at  Newton  Theological  Institute,  when  called  to 
the  charge  of  the  Church,  but  had  nearly  closed  his  studies.  He  ac- 
cepted the  charge,  the  Executive  Board  of  our  Association  agreeing 
to  pay  a  portion  of  his  salary.  He  was  ordained  in  Baltimore,  in  May 
1853.  The  beginning  of  his  pastorate  was  cheered  by  the  baptism  of 
three  candidates.  During  the  summer,  the  cholera  prevailed  to  some 
extent  and  caused  quite  a  panic  among  the  citizens,  so  that  many  left 
the  place.  The  Church  suffered  more  or  less  in  consequence.  Yet 
there  was  life  and  interest  enough  in  the  body  to  maintain  their  reg- 
ular worship,  and  repair  their  house  at  a  cost  of  more  than  |650,  which 
by  a  little  extra  eftbrt  was  made  up  and  paid. 

In  July,  1854,  Mr.  Price  resigned  the  charge  of  the  Church,  after  a 
brief  pastorate  of  about  fifteen  months.  A  very  kind  letter  was  sent  to 
him  by  the  Church  expressing  their  regret  at  his  decision. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 1 9 

The  Church  having  an  ordained  minister  among  their  members, 
though  engaged  in  secular  business,  school  teaching,  requested  him 
to  supply  the  pulpit,  at  least  on  Lord's  day  mornings,  till  more  perma- 
nent arrangements  could  be  made.  This  was  Eev.  A.  Baush.  Soon 
afterward  they  invited  Rev.  Levi  Thorne  to  become  their  pastor,  but  he 
declined.  Rev.  F.  G.  Brown,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Chase, 
were  also  unanimously  invited  to  become  pastor,  but  declined. 

In  December,  1855,  one  of  their  number,  Mr.  John  G.  Schilling,  com- 
■  municated  to  the  Church  his  desire  to  pursue  a  course  of  study  with 
a  view  to  the  ministry.  The  Church  recommended  him  to  do  so. 
He  was  afterward  accepted  by  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  of  the  South- 
ern Baptist  Convention  and  sent  as  a  missionary  to  China. 

Rev.  John  Bray  became  their  pastor,  March,  1856,  and  in  April  he 
■entered  upon  the  duties  of  this  oflfice.  Eev.  Dr.  Williams,  of  Balti- 
more, and  Rev.  Dr.  Samson,  of  Washington,  were  invited  to  conduct 
his  installation  services,  June  8. 

Mr.  Bray's  ministry  opened  with  fair  prospects  of  success.  Addi- 
tions were  made  from  time  to  time  both  by  baptism  and  by  letter.  Re- 
pairsand  improvements  were  made  to  the  building,  which  were  promptly 
paid  for.  The  Sunday  school  was  cared  for  and  much  precious  seed 
was  sown.  In  1857,  however,  some  trouble  arose,  which  caused  the 
pastor  to  resign.  He  continued  to  labor  in  the  vicinity  for  some 
time  after,  preaching  at  Eckhart  Mines,  Mount  Savage  and  other  places. 

In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  the  Association  met  at  Cumberland. 
This  session  proved  to  be  profitable.  It  was  however  attended  with  a 
sad  dispensation.  Mrs.  Price,  the  widow  of  the  late  S.  W.  Price,  for- 
merly pastor  of  this  Church,  was  taken  ill  and  died  on  Saturday,  Nov. 
14.     The  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  church  on  Monday. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Bray,  the  Church  was  without  a  pastor 
for  more  than  a  year.  During  that  time,  however.  Rev.  A.  Baush 
preached  for  them  frequently,  and  the  members  kept  up  their  social 
prayer  meetings. 

In  October,  1858,  a  unanimous  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  J.  T.  B. 
Patterson  to  become  their  pastor.  The  Board  agreed  to  appoint  him 
as  their  missionary  and  to  be  responsible  for  a  part  of  his  salary.  The 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Patterson  was  very  brief.     He  resigned,  June  5,  1859. 

Rev  I.  .J.  Hoyle,  of  Pennsylvania,  visited  and  preached  several  times, 
but  declined  to  accept  a  call  to  the  pastorate,  which  the  Church  unan- 
imously extended  to  him.  From  removals  by  members  to  other  places 
the  Church  became  much  enfeebled,  and  having  no  pastor,  their  house 
was  rented  to  the  German  Reformed  Church,  to  be  used  by  that  de- 
nomination two  Sundays  in  each  month. 

In  the  spring  of  1861,  Rev.  Mr.  DeWitt,  State  missionary,  visited  the 
Church  and  preached  several  times,  and  baptized  two  persons. 


I  20  Maryland  Baplist  History. 

From  1859  to  1863,  there  was  no  delegate  from  this  Church  to  the 
Association,  an  evidence  of  decay.  It  appears,  from  the  Minutes,  that 
Eev.  Wm.  Ellis  was  pastor  there  and  at  Eckhart  for  a  while,  being  a 
missionary  of  the  Board  in  1864.  During  the  war  period,  the  Church 
suffered  greatly,  its  spiritual  interest  almost  dying  out.  In  1866,  Rev. 
R.  W.  East  was  appointed  there.  He  labored  faithfully,  and  seemed  to 
have  some  prospect  of  success,  when  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died,  in  the 
first  year  of  his  service. 

In  June,  1867,  Kev.  P.  T.  Warren  became  pastor,  supported  mainly 
by  the  Board.  Within  a  few  months  he  baptized  nine  persons,  and  the 
outlook  was  encouraging.  He  served  faithfully  until  October,  1868, 
when  he  left,  to  accept  a  charge.'  in  Mobile,  Alabama.  Hard  times  in 
the  community  niade  sad  work  in  the  Church,  which  became  unable 
to  meet  any  of  its  expenses. 

At  a  meeting,  March  16, 1869,  the  Church,  reduced  to  a  remnant,  re- 
solved to  disband,  and  the  members  were  released  from  their  covenant 
obligations.  From  that  date  until  1871,  there  was  no  Baptist  Church 
in  Cumberland  ! 

In  elanuary,  1870,  Rev.  W.  W.  Meech  was  appointed  to  Cumberland 
as  a  missionary.  He  labored  there  and  in  the  vicinity,  preaching,  dis- 
tributing tracts  and  visiting,  until  disabled  by  ill  health. 

In  January,  1871,  the  Board  sent  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  as  missionary 
to  Cumberland,  with  instructions  to  resuscitate  the  Baptist  interest,  if 
possible.  He  succeeded  in  finding  sixteen  of  the  former  members  who 
were  willing  to  reorganize.  These,  with  five  members  of  his  family 
and  five  converts  baptized  by  Bro.  Chandler,  after  several  months  of 
arduous  preaching,  made  twenty-six  persons,  who  were  formally 
reunited  as  the  Baptist  Church  of  Cumberland. 

During  the  ten  years  of  Bro.  Chandler's  stay  at  Cumberland,  he 
had  the  most  serious  disadvantages  to  contend  with — the  repeated  de- 
pression in  business,  the  frequent  stoppage  of  work  among  the  miners 
and  railroad  men,  the  floating  character  of  the  population,  and  their 
poverty,  all  combined  to  render  the  field  a  difficult  one  in  which  to 
gather  the  fruits  of  Christian  labor.  When  Bro.  Chandler  resigned  in 
October,  1880,  the  membership,  which  had  reached  ninety  in  1874,  had 
diminished  from  the  above  causes  to  fifty-six ;  leaving  a  gain  however 
in  the  reliabilitation  of  the  Church,  and  the  improvement  of  the  house 
of  worship  at  considerable  expense. 

Rev.  E.  B.  Walts  was  called  to  supply  this  field  Feb.  1,  1881,  and  re- 
mained until  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign  in  the  following  De- 
cember. In  April,  1882,  Rev.  H.  L.  Quarles,  of  Virginia,  was  secured 
by  the  Executive  Board  as  missionary  pastor  at  Cumberland.  The 
membership  had  by  that  period  become  reduced  to  thirty.     He  entered 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  121 

upon  his  work  with  energy  and  a  determination  to  succeed.  He  has 
served  there  now  over  three  years.  During  this  time,  considerable  im- 
provement has  been  made  in  the  meeting  house,  rendering  it  comfort- 
able and  attractive  ;  the  Sunday  school  has  become  more  popular  and 
efficient,  and  tlie  Church  has  increased  to  sixty-eight  members. 

Whether  the  mission  at  Cumberland  will  ultimately  repay  with 
prosperity  and  reacting  zeal,  all  the  anxiety,  labor  and  money  expended 
upon  it  for  so  many  years,  is  with  some  a  problem.  We  trust,  however, 
that  the  Cliurch  is  working  out,  amid  its  many  trials,  a  strong  char- 
acter, and  laying  the  foundation  of  an  enduring  Zion. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Church  are  as  follows:  Pastor,  Eev.  H.  L. 
Q.uarles.  Deacons :  John  Schilling,  C  J.  Everstine,  D.  W.  Bussard, 
Joseph  Schilling,  R.  J.  Miles,  Ephraim  Stuller,  Samuel  Brant.  Treas- 
urer, S.  Brant.     Clerk,  (1.  J.  Everstine. 


1847;== 

PITTS  CREEK  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  Church  is  located  some  live  miles  south  of  Pocomoke  City,  in 
the  lower  part  of  Worcester  County.  It  was  constituted  May  24,  1817, 
with  twenty-six  members.  Within  the  period  of  1817  and  1841,  the 
old  Church  records  contain  one  hundred  additional  names  of  members. 
The  first  pastor,  Rev.  Levin  Henderson,  served  from  1817  to  about  1840. 
During  that  time  and  later,  the  Church  was  connected  with  the  Salis- 
bury Association,  an  anti-mission  body;  but  about  1844,  the  letter  of 
the  Pitts  Creek  brethren  expressing  a  liberal  feeling  toward  missionary 
and  kindred  societies,  the  Association  disfellowshiped  them.  They  re- 
mained true  to  their  convictions,  but  being  few  in  number,  (our  Minutes 
say  fourteen,)  they  were  unable  to  maintain  I'egular  worship  or  support 
a  preachei'.  In  1847,  Rev.  S.  C.  Boston,  missionary  of  the  Maryland 
Union,  began  to  labor  with  this  almost  extinct  Church.  He  held  a 
series  of  meetings,  and  baptized  thirteen  converts.  Rev.  J.  H.  Phillips, 
his  co-laborer  in  the  same  field,  comprising  several  missions  on  the  East- 
ern Shore,  succeeded  him  in  1848,  with  equal  success,  and  the  little 
band  at  Pitts  Creek  was  increased  to  forty-three  members.  During 
the  following  several  years,  Bro.  Boston,  Bro.  Phillips  and  Rev.  Joseph 
Walker  and  Rev.  George  Bradford  preached  at  times  for  this  Church, 
by  appointment  of  our  Board,  although  it  is  stated  in  our  Minutes  that 

*This   Clmrch,  as  stated  in  the  sketch,  was  originally  organized  in  1817,  but  it 
'became  practical!}'  extinct,  and  began  its  career  as  a  missionary  C'hurch  in  1S47. 


122  Maryland  Jniptist    History. 

when  this  Church  eutertU  our  Association,  iu  October,  1855,  it  "came 
from  the  Accomack  Association."'  At  this  date,  liro.  Boston  was  con- 
tinued in  charge  of  this  and  two  other  Churches.  In  November,  his 
labors  were  rewarded  with  eleven  conversions,  and  the  meeting  house 
had  also  been  repaired.  In  1856,  he  removed,  and  after  a  year,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  A.  G.  Harley,  who  reported  a  fair  degree  of  prosperity 
during  two  years.  Kev.  0.  F.  Flippo  took  charge  of  this  field  in  1859> 
and  remained  about  eight  yeai's,  with  varying  success,  the  Church  re- 
porting 107  members  in  1867.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Councill 
for  two  years  ;  Rev.  E.  M.  Byrne,  one  year;  Rev.  L.  D.  Pauling  about 
three  years ;  Rev.  L.  P.  Judson,  a  few  months  in  ]877;  Rev.  H.J.  Han- 
dy from  1878  to  1880;  Rev.  J.  A.  Woolf  in  1882-83,  and  finally  the 
veteran  Rev.  S.  C.  Boston,  who  is  now  again  pastor,  since  December 
1883.  It  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Bro.  Handy,  that  a  new  meeting 
house  was  built  and  almost  finished,  when  it  was,  one  night,  from  some 
cause  unknown,  burned  to  the  ground.  There  was  no  insurance,  and 
the  loss  was  felt  deeply.  In  a  few  days,  the  pastor  and  people  aroused 
from  the  depression  caused  by  the  disaster,  and  planned  the  immediate 
erection  of  the  present  beautiful  sanctuary,  wliich  was  completed  in  a 
few  months,  and  is  now  entirely  paid  for. 

Since  1847,  one  hundred  and  ninety-two  persons  have  been  received 
into  the  Church  by  baptism  and  twelve  by  letter ;  but  the  removals? 
exclusions  and  deaths  have  depleted  the  number,  until  there  are  at 
this  time  only  sixty-seven  members.  Among  the  brethren  of  the  old 
Church,  and  who  cooperated  efficiently  Avith  Bro.  Boston  in  the  revival 
of  1847,  were  brethren  Levin  Merrill  and  John  B.  White.  Bro.  Mer- 
rill lived  only  a  few  years  after,  but  left  a  family  of  noble  children,  all 
of  whom  became  members  of  Baptist  Churches.  Some  have  removed 
elsewhere,  others  have  died,  but  two,  Henry  T.  and  Alfred  D.  Merrill, 
have  been  identified  with  the  Pitts  Creek  Church  since  their  youth' 
exerting  a  wide  influence,  and  training  their  children  to  usefulness  in 
the  same  faith.  Bro.  J.  B.  White  became  a  constituent  member  of  the 
Church  in  Pocomoke  City. 

The  following  brethren  have  sustained  official  relations  in  this  body: 
Levin  Merrill,  J.  B.  White,  John  Howard,  L.  M.  Houston,  Esau  Bos- 
ton, L.  H.  Merrill,  Peter  Pilcher  and  S.  J.  Connor.  The  present  dea- 
cons are  A.  D.  Merrill  and  Urban  White;  treasurer,  H.  T.  Merrill; 
clerk,  E.  F.  Merrill. 

From  the  time  this  Church  discarded  anti-mission  sentiments  and 
became  associated  with  us,  its  contributions  have  been  liberal  to  all 
missionary  enterprises.  The  Sunday  school  has  always  been  a  blessing 
to  the  Church  and  community.  A.  D.  Merrill  is  the  present  superin- 
tendent.    In  1884,  five  converts  from  the  school  were  baptized.    A  fine 


Maiyiand  Baptist  History.  125 

chapel  organ  has  been  recently  placed  in  the  church,  which  adds  much 
interest  to  the  singing  of  the  school  and  congregation. 

The  field  in  which  this  Church  is  located  is  circumscribed,  there  not 
being  a  very  large  area  of  country  from  which  to  draw  congregations ;. 
still  the  attendance  is  very  good  ;  and  the  Church  is  emphatically  the 
light  and  centre  of  religious  influence  in  that  community. 


1850. 

ECKHART  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  Eckhart  Mines  are  situated  in  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  nearly 
two  hundred  miles  west  of  Baltimore,  ten  m^les  west  of  Cumberland^ 
and  two  miles  east  of  Frostburg.  Their  elevation  is  about  two  thous- 
and feet  above  the  level  of  the  sek  They  are  a  portion  of  the  vast 
coal  regions  developed  by  the  railroads.  The  population  numbers  sev- 
eral   hundred  within  a  mile  or  two,  chiefly  miners  and  their  families. 

Prior  to  J850,  a  Mr.  Jennings  came  from  England  with  his  family, 
and  settled  at  the  Mines.  He  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  but  his  wife  had 
been  converted  and  had  joined  a  Baptist  Church,  during  a  short  stay 
in  New  York,  and  was  now  desirous  of  finding  other  persons  of  this 
faith  in  her  new  home.  Hearing  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Cumberland, 
she  visited  that  place,  and  after  making  herself  known,  induced 
Rev.  Benjamin  Griffith,  the  pastor  of  the  Church,  to  come  to  Eckhart 
and  hold  a  series  of  meetings.  The  basement  of  the  Episcopal  church 
was  secured  for  the  first  meeting,  and  Bro.  Grriffith  preached  there  to 
a  crowded  audience,  on  Thursday  night,  September  5,  1850.  The  M. 
E.  church  was  then  secured,  and  beginning  September  19,  he  preached 
every  night  for  two  weeks,  and  baptized  six  persons,  namely,  Wm.  Ste- 
venson and  his  wife  Margaret  Stevenson,  who  had  been  Congregation- 
alists.  Miss  Margaret  Carney,  who  had  been  a  Methodist,  Mrs.  Jane 
McFarlin,  who  had  been  a  Lutheran,  Hamilton  Tibbetts  and  his  wife 
Ann  Tibbets. 

There  now  being  this  number  of  Baptists  at  the  Mines,  it  was  thought 
advisable  to  organize  a  Church.  Accordingly,  on  the  night  of  October 
25,  1850,  the  above-named  persons,  with  Miss  Esther  Sewell  and  Mrs. 
Catherine  Jennings,  the  mover  of  the  enterprise,  met  in  the  Methodist 
church  for  that  purpose.  Bro.  Griffith  acted  as  moderator,  and  Bro. 
Tibbets  as  clerk.  A  covenant  and  articles  of  faith  were  adopted  and 
signed.  Rev.  A.  Baush  delivered  a  charge  to  the  new  body.  A  vote 
of  thanks  to  their  Methodist  brethren  for  the  use  of  their  church  was 
the  first  business  recorded.  Brethren  Griffith  and  Baush  agreed  to  visit 
the  Church  alternately,  every  week. 


1 2  4  Alan  'la  n  d  Baptist  History. 

The  Church  now  vented  tlie  Railroad  Company's  school  house,  for  a 
time,  and  decided  to  build  a  chapel.  With  great  effort  they  succeeded 
in  obtaining  funds  and  materials,  and  erected  a  house  suitable  for  their 
purposes. 

After  Bro.  Griffith  left  Cumberland,  Rev.  J.  H.  Phillips  preached  at 
Eckhart  occasionally.  In  April,  1854,  the  Church  called  Rev.  W.  W. 
Kone  as  pastor,  who  served  for  about  a  year,  and  received  eight  mem- 
bers into  fellowship.  Between  1855  and  1858,  Rev.  John  Bray,  of  the 
Cumberland  charge,  preached  frequently,  and  received  members. 

In  1858,  Rev.  Wm.  Ellis  was  called  as  pastor,  and  served  the  cause 
earnestly  for  eight  years.  Many  souls  were  added  to  the  Church.  His 
pastorate  reached  through  the  period  of  our  Civil  War,  and  though  the 
times  were  dark  and  cruel,  the  Church  remained  and  flourished. 

In  1867,  Rev.  Jas.  R.  Brown  was  called.  He  served  the  Church 
three  years.     His  ministry  was  attended  with  great  good. 

About  this  time  the  Welsh  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  Frost- 
burg,  twenty-two  members  going  out  of  Eckhart  Church  to  constitute 
it. 

On  April  1,  1870,  the  Church  called  Bro.  Lewis  Sammons  as  pastor. 
He  preached  about  three  years,  having  only  the  good  of  the  cause  and 
the  interest  of  his  Master's  kingdom  at  heart.  During  his  stay  among 
them  the  Church  had  sore  trials  for  a  season.  In  the  fall  of  1873,  he 
tendered  his  resignation. 

In  March,  1874:,  the  Church  called  Rev.  James  T.  Bradford,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Frostburg  Church.  He  served  about  two-and-a-half 
years  and  left  in  December,  1876. 

In  March,  1877,  the  Church  called  Rev.  AVm.  T.  Fortney.  Times 
being  very  hard,  the  members  could  not  pay  him  his  salary  and  notified 
him  in  August  of  the  fact.  He  left  in  November.  They  were  without 
a  pas  I  or  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  they  extended  a  call  to  Rev. 
Wm.  S.  Holt.  When  he  came,  the  charge  was  in  rather  an  indifferent 
condition,  but  soon  became  united  and  healthy.  Bro.  Holt's  ministry 
was  successful  in  building  up  the  cause.  He  remained,  however,  only 
for  a  year  or  so.  In  1882  and  1883,  the  Church  had  no  pastor.  They 
had  preaching  occasionally  by  Rev.  H.  L.  Quarks  and  W.  0.  Petty, 
and  a  few  baptisms. 

In  December,  1883,  Rev.  James  Miller  was  called  to  the  field,  and  is 
still  hil^oring  there,  with  evidence  of  divine  favor.  The  Church  now 
numhiM's  sixty-five  members,  and  is  in  a  hopeful  and  prosperous  condi- 
t  on. 

This  Church  has  expressed  its  gratitude  to  the  brethren  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Board  "for  their  oft-repeated  and  timely  help."     They  say  in  a 


Maryland  Baptisi  History.  125 

resolution,  passed  in  May,  1881,  "If  it  had  not  been  for  their  aid,  many 
times  we  would  have  been  compelled  to  do  without  preaching.  Their 
help  has  not  been  in  vain.  God  has  owned  their  sacrifice  in  sustaining 
the  cause  at  Eckhart.  Our  prayers  are  united  that  He  may  bless  their 
arduous  labors  of  love  and  mercy  throughout  the  State." 


1850. 

VIENNA  BAPTIST  CHURCH.  • 

The  First  Baptist  Church  of  Vienna,  Dorchester  Co.,  Md.,  was 
constituted  October  14,  1850.  It  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  labors  of 
Rev.  S.  0.  Boston,  who  became  its  first  pastor.  He  had  been  serving 
as  a  missionary  for  a  year  or  more  in  the  employ  of  the  Maryland  Union 
Association,  and  was  then,  as  now,  one  of  the  most  zealous  and  faithful 
of  gospel  preachers.  It  was  also  through  his  persevering  efforts  that 
their  house  of  worship  was  built.  The  constituent  members  were  but 
six  in  number,  namely,  Bro.  Boston  himself,  Mary  A.  Boston,  Henrietta 
Wetherly,  Elizabeth  Smith,  Harriet  Carsely  and  Biddie  Brown. 

A  council  composed  of  Rev.  J.  H.  Phillips,  then  a  missionary  of  our 
Board,  and  Deacons  John  White  and  L.  Merrill  of  the  Pitts  Creek 
Baptist  Church,  approved  of  the  organization. 

Bro.  Boston's  labors  were  blessed  remarkably.  In  twelve  months,  he 
had  baptized  thirty-nine  converts.  These  increased  his  little  Church 
so  that  it  became  an  established  success.  Six  more  additions  were 
made  by  letter.  There  were,  however,  six  deaths  and  several  exclu- 
sions. The  Church  had  now  material  for  officers,  and  elected  the  fol- 
lowing: Deacons,  Savage  Smith,  L.  Kennelly;  treasurer,  W.  W.  Hearn  ; 
clerk,  V.  Insley.  These  with  the  addition  of  J.  Culver,  were  chosen 
as  trustees  also.  They  at  once  raised  $100  toward  the  pastor's  salary. 
Bro.  Boston  remained  until  Oct.  23,  1852,  when  he  was  transfen-ed  to 
Pitts  Creek  and  Rehoboth. 

The  Board  appointed  Rev.  .T.  H.  Phillips  to  succeed  him,  and  he  re- 
mained on  the  field,  preaching,  as  had  his  predecessor,  at  two  other 
stations  in  addition  to  Vienna,  until  1854,  baptizing  seven  persons. 

Rev.  F.  L.  Kregel  was  elected  pastor  May  1,  1854,  and  remained  for 
two  years.  Rev.  Daniel  Gumming  took  charge  in  1857,  and  continued 
till  July  9,  1859.  In  a  few  months  later.  Rev.  J.  S.  Ker  was  called  to 
the  field,  and  served  about  a  year ;  during  which  time  Rev,  Mr.  DeWitt, 
evangelist,  assisted  him  in  a  protracted  meeting.  Twelve  conversions 
were  reported,  with  fifty-nine  members. 


126  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  Church  luid  no  regular  preaching  after  this  for  several  years, 
and  declined  to  forty  members,  in  1864,  when  Rev.  P.  T.  Warren  took 
charge.  He  reported  "the  field  a  hard  one,  with  no  male  members  to 
aid  him,"  but  labored  faithfully  with  some  success,  till  October,  1866. 

Rev.  A.  Ct.  Harley  succeeded,  and  remained  until  ill  health  forced 
him  to  resign  Nov.,  1868.  The  Church  letter  re})orts  a  term  of  'pleasure 
and  profit;'  $250  raised  for  the  pastor's  salary,  and  house  of  worship  re- 
paired. There  was  no  pastor  for  two  years  after  the  last  date.  In  1871, 
Rev.  N.  C.  Naylor  was  appointed  here,  and  labored  zealously  for  about 
two  years.  The  meeting  house  was  improved  and  beautified.  In  1874, 
Rev.  P."T.  Warren  again  preached  here  and  remained  two  years.  He 
reported  only  twenty-eight  members.  In  1876,  Rev.  L.  P.  Judson  as- 
sumed charge  for  a  short  period.  Rev.  C.  W.  Teasdale  acted  as  pastor 
during  part  of  1879  and  1880.  In  1883,  Rev.  J.  B.  English  preached 
here  for  some  days,  assisted  by  Bro.  J.  W.  Lyle.  A  revival  was  the  result, 
increasing  the  Church  to  about  forty  members.  Since  January,  1884, 
Rev.  F.  R.  Underwood  has  labored  on  this  field,  serving  also  two  other 
Churches,  at  Cambridge  and  Cabin  Creek.     The  prospects  are  hopeful. 

The  membership  now  numbers  fifty.  The  meeting  house,  which  is 
valued  at  $1,500,  seats  about  two  hundred  people,  and  is  generally  well 
attended. 


UNION  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  BALTIMORE. 


REV.  HARVEY  JOHNSON, 


PASTOR    OF    THE  UNION  BAPTIST    CHURCH,  BALTIMORE. 


Engraved  for  this  work  from  a  photoffraph  by  Holyland. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  129 


1852. 

UNION     BAPTIST    CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 

The  Union  Baptist  Church  of  this  City  presents  of  late  years  a  rec- 
ord of  almost  unexampled  prosperity.  In  1852,  at  its  origin,  the  mem- 
bership numbered  fifty-seven :  they  now  exceed  two  thousand,  besides 
many  who  have  left  from  time  to  time  to  form  new  Churches.  This 
prosperity  is  attributable,  under  God's  blessing,  to  several  circumstan- 
ces. First,  the  central  location  of  their  house  of  worship,  which  is  ac- 
cessible from  all  parts  of  the  city.  Next,  the  energy  and  faithfulness 
of  their  pastors,  the  last  of  whom  stands  high  in  the  community  as  an 
evangelical  leader.  And  again,  to  the  fact  that  Baptist  principles  are 
readily  accepted  by  the  masses  of  the  people  who  have  not  been  pre- 
viously educated  to  perversions  of  the  Bible,  and  to  ritual  and  unscrip- 
tural  doctrines.  All  over  the  world,  among  all  nations,  the  words  of 
the  evangelist  in  reference  to  Christ,  are  found  to  be  a  verity  with  Bap- 
tist doctrines,  that  "the  common  people  hear  them  gladly,"  while  the 
followers  of  tradition  and  ceremonies  and  half-truths,  who  boast  of  a 
superior  education,  reject  His  truth,  because  of  its  simplicity. 

We  have  little  knowledge  of  the  origin  and  early  days  of  the  Union 
Church  beyond  the  data  furnished  by  Dr.  Wilson,  in  a  sketch  read  at 
a  recent  anniversary.  Of  its  later  history  and  work,  we  have  obtained 
the  necessary  information  from  the  members,  and  from  our  Minutes. 

The  Union  Church  was  organized  in  1852,  with  fifty-seven  members, 
and  met  for  worship  in  a  small  building  on  Lewis  street,  near  Mullikin. 
The  first  pastor  was  named  John  Carey.  The  people  were  very  poor, 
made  but  slow  progress,  and  could  not  manage  their  expenses.  Bro. 
Carey  left  in  1854,  and  we  understand,  is  still  in  the  ministry,  serving 
a  Church  in  New  Jersey.  For  many  months,  the  members  held  together 
without  a  pastor,  though  at  length  they  diminished  to  forty-three.  In 
1856,  Eev.  Chauncey  Leonard  was  called  to  the  charge,  and  remained 
about  a  year.  Subsequently,  Rev.  Isaac  Kendall  was  engaged  ;  but  as 
the  Church  could  not  pay  him  a  salary,  he  soon  resigned.  In  1861, 
the  membership  was  only  forty-one.  In  that  year,  Rev.  Wm.  Williams 
was  elected  pastor,  and  took  charge  with  a  hope  of  improving  the  situa- 
tion, Avhich  he  did,  and  remained  at  his  post  for  eight  years.  He  begun 
under  the  unfavorable  influences  of  the  Civil  War,  but  in  about  four 
years,  the   membership    increased  to  124.     In  1866,  the  "Saratoga  St. 


13c  MaTyland  luxptist  Ifistory. 

African  Baptist  Church"  having  disbanded,  many  of  its  members  joined 
the  Lewis  St.  congregation,  which  now  became  incorporated  under  the 
title  "Union  Baptist  Church."  They  now  numbered  175,  and  much 
encouraged,  began  to  look  around  for  a  more  central  location  in  which 
to  establish  their  Zion. 

In  1868,  Kev.  Franklin  Wilson,  Christopher  West,  Hiram  Woods 
and  Henry  Taylor,  at  the  earnest  request  of  Bro.  Williams,  the  pastor, 
purchased  the  Disciples'  meeting  house,  on  North  street,  near  Sara- 
toga, and  offered  it  to  this  Church  on  certain  conditions,  at  the  same 
time  making  liberal  donations  toward  the  purchase.  After  consider- 
able opposition  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  m.embers,  who  clung  tena- 
ciously to  the  little  old  house  on  Lewis  street,  it  was  accepted,  and  the 
Church  removed  to  its  new  quarters,  from  which  day  its  course  has 
been  onward. 

Eev.  Wm,  Williams  died  suddenly,  in  18G9.  He  had  preached  on 
Sunday  morning,  and  baptized  five  persons.  At  the  afternoon  service, 
he  was  in  the  act  of  giving  out  a  hymn  beginning,  "Lord,  why  was  I 
made  to  hear  thy  voice,"  when  he  lost  utterance  and  fainted.  He 
was  carried  home  and  died  shortly  after,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years. 
He  Avas  a  grave,  prudent  and  sincere  Christian  pastor,  and  Avas  highly 
esteemed  for  his  work. 

Soon  after.  Rev.  William  P.  Thompson  was  elected  pastor.  He  had 
ibeen  a  student  at  Wayland  for  a  short  time,  had  served  as  a  col  porter 
for  the  Executive  Board,  and  had  been  licensed  to  preach  by  this 
€hurch  a  few  months  previous.  His  health,  however,  was  not  robust, 
and  he  served  the  Church  only  two  years,  dying  Jan.  24,  1872,  aged 
thirty-two.  His  ministry  was  blessed  by  conversions  and  baptisms,  and 
he  left  a  membership  of  240.     His  memory  is  tenderly  cherished. 

By  this  time  the  Church  had  paid  $5,000,  the  purchase  money,  of 
their  house,  much  of  which  was  contributed  by  their  white  brethren. 

For  about  nine  months,  the  congregation  remained  without  a  shep- 
herd, but  many  prayers  were  offered  to  God,  for  guidance  in  the  choice 
of  one.  To  facilitate  this,  the  Church  requested  Prof  G.  M.  P.  King, 
President  of  Wayland  Seminary,  Washington,  to  send  students  to 
preach  for  them,  that  they  might  be  able  possibly  to  make  a  selection, 
which  he  did.  Among  the  number  who  visited  Baltimore  and  occu- 
pied the  pulpit,  was  Bro.  Harvey  Johnson,  not  at  the  time  a  student, 
but  a  graduate,  and  then  laboring  in  Virginia,  under  the  northern 
Home  Mission  Society.  He  was  born  in  Fauquier  county,  of  that  State 
and  partly  raised  in  Alexandria,  where  he  was  converted  early,  and 
baptized  by  Rev.  S.  W.  Madden.*     Bro.  Johnson  made  known  his  de- 

*S.  W.  Madden,  then  pastor  of  the  Alfred  ISt.  Church,  Alexandria,  had  been 
baptized  some  years  previous  by  Rev.  Noah  Davis,  of  the  Saratoga  St.  Church. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 3 1 

sire  to  prepare  himself  for  the  ministry.  Bro.  Madden  took  him  to 
Washington  and  entered  him  in  Wayhxnd  Seminary,  where  he  remained 
studying  for  five  years,  being  aided  in  part  by  friends  in  Watertown, 
Mass.,  and  otherwise  supporting  himself  by  laboring  during  vacation, 
as  missionary  and  school  teacher,  under  the  Home  Mission  Society. 

Jiro.  Johnson  was  elected  pastor,  and  entered  service,  October,  1872. 
The  Church  had  278  members  at  that  date.  A  wonderful  success  at- 
tended the  new  pastor's  ministry.  The  first  year  he  baptized  200  con- 
verts and  received  95  by  letter.  Up  to  that  time,  the  Church  had  re- 
ceived a  small  annual  appropriation  from  our  Board,  to  aid  in  support- 
ing their  pastor  ;  this  was  now  declined  and  the  Church  raised  all  the 
money  needed.  They  still  owed  $3,000  on  the  ground  of  their  church. 
They  immediately  set  to  work  systematically,  and  by  continuous  col- 
lections, succeeded  in  lifting  the  debt  in  two  years. 

A  portion  of  the  members,  above  referred  to  as  tenaciously  holding 
to  the  Lewis  street  property,  having  involved  the  Church  in  a  lawsuit, 
were  about  this  time  excluded,  to  the  number  of  thirty-six.  After  the 
settlement  of  the  difliculty,  most  of  them  returned  to  their  fellowship. 

In  1874,  the  membership  had  reached  787,  and  the  next  year,  928. 

The  church  building  had  now  become  inadequate  to  hold  the  con- 
gregation, and  it  became  necessary  to  tear  it  down,  and  erect  a  larger 
one.  This  was  done,  at  a  cost  of  |20,000,  including  refitting.  The 
undertaking  was  great,  for  this  people,  but  they  were  equal  to  it ;  and 
by  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  Bro.  Johnson  and  his  leading  mem- 
bers, it  was  carried  through  triumphantly.  The  necessary  money  was 
collected,  partly  by  subscription  books  placed  in  the  hands  of  those 
Avho  could  solicit  from  the  public  ;  but  mainly  by  the  envelope  system 
from  the  members  themselves,  each  of  whom  subscribed  from  |5  to 
$100,  paying  it  by  instalments  from  week  to  week,  as  they  were  able. 
The  "whole  $20,000,  with  the  exception  of  about  $500,  was  raised  by 
the  Church  in  the  above  manner,  within  four  years.  The  $500  were 
contributed  by  friends  in  Baltimore  and  in  the  North.  The  new  edifice 
was  dedicated  in  January,  187G.  It  holds,  when  crowded,  about  twelve 
hundred  persons,  and  is  again  found  insufficient  to  contain  the  multi- 
tudes who  throng  its  doors. 

The  impulse  given  to  our  cause  among  the  colored  people  of  Balti- 
more by  this  success,  has  been  marked.  The  Church  itself  has  been  a 
fountain-head  of  mission  work.  In  1874,  the  Macedonia  Church  was 
organized  by  some  of  its  members;  in  1879,  the  Calvary  Church  was 
established  by  a  colony  from  its  fold  ;  in  1880,  Perkins  Square  Church 
was  established  by  its  aid.  It  has  also  established  Churches  at  Freder- 
ick, Winfield  and  Westminster.  At  the  last  place  it  built  a  house  of 
worship,  costing  $900.     The  Union  Church  has  also  sent  forth  six  men 


132  Alary  land  Baptist  History. 

to  serve  in  the  ministry,  all  of  whom  were  required  to  pass  a  satisfac- 
tory course  of  study  at  school.  The  following  have  been  ordained:  T. 
Clements,  (deceased  ;)  C.  A.  Dennis,  now  pastor  in  Texas  ;  T.  A.  An- 
derson, now  pastor  in  West  Virginia  ;  C.  H.  Jones,  now  pastor  at  West 
Point,  Va.,  W.  M.  Alexander,  now  State  Missionary  in  Maryland  ;  and 
A.  il  Callis,  now  pastor  in  Virginia. 

This  Church  has  been  gaining  in  numbers  with  great  rapidity.  In 
1876,  it  had  1100  members,  and  each  year  since  it  has  reported  succes- 
sively, 1368,  1423,  1497,  1578,  1621,  1684,  1790, 1859,  and  at  the  pres- 
ent writing,  it  has  over  2000  members. 

Rev.  Harvey  Johnson,  the  pastor  of  this  large  congregation,  occupies 
a  position  of  grave  responsibility,  and  the  prayers  of  God's  people  are 
continuously  offered,  that  he  may  prove  equal  to  his  opportunity.  He 
has  also  been  active  in  work  outside  of  his  own  charge,  and  was  mainly 
the  originator  of  the  "Baptist  State  Convention,"  which  comprises  all 
the  Colored  Baptist  Churches  in  the  State,  and  is  growing  in  effective 
working  power.  He  published,  recently,  an  original  discourse  on  the 
"Equality  of  the  Father  and  the  Son,"  which  has  had  a  large  circula- 
tion in  pamphlet  form,  and  been  reprinted  in  tlie  "National  Baptist." 

In  1884,  |1,200  was  raised  for  missionary  and  benevolent  purposes. 

The  Sunday  school  numbers  30  teachers  and  600  scholars.  Bro.  Ben- 
jamin Weaver,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  useful  members  of  the  Church 
has  been  superintendent  since  1859. 

The  following  are  the  deacons  of  the  Church,  with  the  date  of  their 
election:  George  West,  1852;  Benjamin  Weaver,  1856  ;  R.  Blackwell, 
1861;  Moses  Campbell,  (deceased,)  1861;  P.  Patterson,  1867 ;  H.  P. 
Waters,  1868 ;  Jas.  Robertson,  1884 ;  Harris  More,  1874 ;  Lewis  Minor, 
1879  ;  Thos.  Porter,  1879  ;  H.  H.  Lewis,  1884.  The  treasurer  is  R.  T, 
Hunter;  clerk,  Lewis  Minor. 


NOTE. 


"Saratoga  St.  African  Baptist  Church." — This  Church  originated  October 
29,  1848,  with  four  members,  under  the  pastorship  of  Noah  Davis,  who  was  called 
from  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  by  the  Board  of  the  Association,  in  1847,  as  a  mission- 
ary among  the  colored  people  of  Baltimore.  They  were  obliged  to  worship  in  a 
hall  up  a  flight  of  stairs,  and  Bro.  Davis  labored  under  many  difliculties.  By 
1854,  he  reported  only  nineteen  members.  At  that  time  the  body  was  called  the 
"Second  Colored  Baptist  Church."  On  Feb.  18,  IS.'jS,  a  large  and  commodious 
chapel  on  the  corner  of  Saratoga  and  Calvert  streets,  erected  by  Bro.  "Wm.  Crane, 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  133 

was  occupied  by  this  Church,  and  its  name  changed  accordingly.  The  congre- 
gations at  once  increased  four-fold,  and  the  Church  began  to  prosper.  By  1857 
they  reported  seventy -one  members.  In  1861,  they  enjoyed  a  revival;  70  were 
baptized,  and  they  reported  one  hundered  and  sixty-seven  members.  But  quite  a 
number  of  these  were  afterwards  excluded,  so  that  in  1800,  the  membership  had 


REV.    NOAH    DAVIS. 


fallen  to  one  hundred  and  forty -eight.  In  May  of  that  year,  the  Church,  though 
assisted  liberally  by  Mr.  Crane  and  others,  found  themselves  unable  to  raise  the 
amount  necessary  to  pay  for  their  building,  or  the  interest  on  the  debt, or  even  a 
small  rent.  Becoming  entirely  hopeless  of  success,  they  concluded  to  abandon  the 
house.  Bro.  Davis  became  too  feeble  to  preach,  and  the  Church  gradually  dis- 
banded, uniting  with  the  Union  Church,  as  already  stated,  Bro.  Davis  died, 
April  6, 1807,  lamented  by  many  who  knew  his  great  worth  as  a  Christian  and  a 
minister. 


134  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

1854. 
FIRST  B  APT  1ST   CHURCH  OF 

POCOMOKE   CITY. 

The  first  entry  we  find  on  theChiirch  book  is  this:  "Newtown,  Md,, 
May  14,  ]854.  On  this  day,  the  Newtown  Baptist  meeting  house,  erect- 
ed through  the  labors  of  Rev.  S.  C.  Boston,  missionary  of  the  Maryland 
Baptist  Union  Association,  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  The 
following  was  the  order  of  exercises  ;  Eeading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Rev. 
S.  C.  Boston.  Dedicatory  prayer,  Rev.  W.  Fisher.  Sermon,  Rev.  J,  W* 
M.  Williams.  Prayer,  Rev.  W.  T.  Wilkerson.  Begging  speech,  Rev. 
S.  C.  Boston.  The  cost  of  the  house,  furniture,  lot  and  railing,  was 
about  $2,700,  of  which  $1,000  was  raised  this  day.  A  creditable  col- 
lection truly."  This  building  has  a  baptistery,  steeple  and  bell.  It  is 
an  excellent  house,  and  for  years  was  superior  to  any  other  church  in 
the  town,  but  recently  two  of  the  other  denominations  have  erected 
better  structures. 

The  next  entry  on  therecord  states,  "May  15,  1854.  On  this  day  the 
Newtown  Baptist  Church  was  organized,  consisting  of  the  following 
brethren  and  sisters:  S.  C.  Boston,  Mary  A.  Boston,  John  B.  White, 
Susan  White,  John  W.  Clarke,  Samuel  Boston,  Elizabeth  Boston,  Ur- 
ban White,  Elizabeth  Adams,  Major  Hall,  Jerome  Hall,  Julia  Hall, 
Zadoc  Hall,  W.  James  Merrill.  The  recognizing  council  consisted  of 
Rev.  J.  W.  M.  Williams,  of  Baltimore,  Rev.  W.  Fisher,  of  Accomack  co., 
Va.,  and  Rev.  F.  L.  Kregel,  of  Vienna." 

The  name  of  Newtown  having  been  changed  to  Pocomoke  City,  on 
July  5,  1878,  the  name  of  this  organization  was  changed  to  the  "First 
Baptist  Church  of  Pocomoke  City." 

The  first  officers  m  this  body  were  as  follows  :  Deacons,  Major  Hall 
and  J.  B.  White;  treasurer,  Z.  Hall ;  clerk,  W.  J.  Merrill.  In  Febru- 
ary, 187"-i,  brother  C.  P.  I3yi'd  was  elected  an  additional  deacon.  He  and 
brother  Hall  still  fill  the  position,  but  brother  White  has  deceased,  af- 
ter a  number  of  years  of  faithful  service.  Bro.  W.  J.  Merrill  has  also 
departed  to  a  higher  sphere;  his  successors  as  clerk  have  been  breth- 
ren J.  C.  Riley,  C.  H.  Council,  and  H.  H.  Husted  who  serves  now.  The 
successors  of  the  first  treasurer  have  been  brethren  H.H.  Husted,  C.  P. 
Byrd,  and  A.  W.  Cranmer,  at  present  in  office.  Bro.  Zadoc  Hall  still 
manages  the  "incidental  expenses." 

The  pastors  have  succeeded  each  other  as  follows :  Rev.  S.  C.  Boston 
from  May,  1854,  to  Sept.,  1857;    A.  G.  Harley,  April,  1858,  to  April, 


Alary  land  Baptist  History.  135 

1859;  S.  C.  Boston,  Jan.,  1860  to  Jan.,  1861 :  0.  F.  Flippo,  Jan.,  1861, 
to  March,  1868 ;  J.  G.  Councill,  Sept.,  1868  to  Jan.,  1871 ;  E.  M.  Byrne, 
March,  1871,  to  Feb'y,  1873;  L.  D.  Paniing,  July,  1872,  to  Jan.,  1876 ; 
H.  J.  Handy,  Nov.,  1876,  to  June,  1881 ;  J.  A.  Woolf,  Nov.,  1881,  to 
April,  1883.  In  December,  1883,  Bro.  Boston  again  entered  this  field, 
and  is  the  pastor  now,  thirty  years  after  the  first  record  quoted  in  the 
opening  of  this  sketch.  All  these  ministers  have  been  more  or  less 
blessed  in  their  work.  Some  precious  seasons  of  ingathering  have  been 
enjoyed,  and  at  different  times,  a  goodly  number  have  been  added  to- 
the  Church  by  baptism. 

During  Rev.  0.  F.  Flippo's  term,  a  neat  parsonage  was  built  and  paid 
for.  While  Rev.  J.  G.  Councill  was  pastor,  the  house  of  worship  was 
improved,  at  a  cost  of  $300.  All  these  pastors  are  still  living,  except- 
ing Rev.  L.  [).  Pauling,  who  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and  died  soon 
after.  Rev.  William  T.  Wilkerson  should  be  mentioned  here.  He  was 
a  resident  minister,  and  often  rendered  the  Church  good  service  as  a 
a  supply,  when  destitute  of  a  pastor.     He  has  gone  to  his  reward. 

The  Church  has,  from  its  beginning,  been  remarked  for  its  devotion 
to  the  weekly  prayer  meeting.  Its  contributions  to  the  different  Mis- 
sion Boards  and  other  means  of  benevolence,  have  been  liberal.  It  has 
suffered,  however,  all  along  its  history,  from  theremo.al  of  its  members 
to  other  places.  It  has  also  lost  some  members  by  their  marriages  to 
members  of  other  denominations,  and  some  by  exclusion  and  death. 
Its  present  number  is  ninety-nine,  seventeen  of  whom  were  baptized 
during  the  past  year. 

The  Church  is  in  a  healthful  condition,  with  a  good  Sunday  school. 
The  church  building  has  been  recently  painted.  A  ladies'  aid  society 
and  a  ladies'  missionary  society  are  doing  good  service. 


1 36  Maryland  Baptist  History 


FRANKLIN  SQUARE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

The  first  meeting  for  the  formation  of  this  Church  was  held  October 
15,  1854,  in  a  liouse  on  Fayette  street,  near  Carey,  then  occupied  by  a 
mission  of  the  Seventh  Church,  designated  as  the  West  End  or  West- 
ern Branch  Sunday  school,  and  taught  by  brethren  Alexander  Butcher, 
Eosewell  H.  Graves,  and  other  well  known  workers.  At  this  time  it 
had  sixty-four  scholars,  who  were  transferred  to  the  charge  of  the  new 
Church.  The  persons  gathered  on  this  occasion  were  principally  mem- 
bers of  the  Seventh  and  High  Street  Churches.  After  prayer,  led  by 
Eev.  Franklin  Wilson,  and  on  his  motion,  it  was  "Resolved,  That  it  is 
expedient  to  proceed,  at  the  earliest  possible  period,  to  the  formation  of 
a  Baptist  Church  at  Franklin  Square."  All  present  who  proposed  to 
join  such  Church  were  requested  to  report  their  names,  and  a  comrtiit- 
tee  was  appointed  to  receive  other  names  and  to  arrange  for  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Church.  The  pastors  of  the  city  Churches  were  requested 
to  announce  the  intention  to  organize  a  new  body,  and  to  recommend 
such  of  their  members  as  proposed  to  join  it  to  report  their  names  at 
once.  An  adjourned  meeting  was  held  October  22,  when  a  committee, 
consisting  of  brethren  Franklin  Wilson,  Wm.  H.  Ryan,  John  W.  Jevens, 
AV.  W.  Lawrason  and  George  Hosking,  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  cov- 
enant, articles  of  faith  and  constitution.  This  committee  reported  on 
October  26,  when  a  manual  was  adopted.  On  the  31st  the  Church  was 
fully  and  regularly  organized. 

The  public  recognition  by  a  council  of  sister  Churches,  took  place  in 
the  old  "Round  Top''  church,  formerly  on  the  corner  of  Lombard  and 
8harp  streets.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  John  Berg,  the  ad- 
dress to  the  Church  made  by  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Fuller,  the  hand  of  fel- 
lowship given  by  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Adams,  and  the  prayer  offered  by  Rev. 
J.  W.  M.  Williams. 

Although  the  number  of  constituent  members  was  only  thirty,  yet  at 
their  first  meeting,  more  than  one  thousand  dollars  were  subscribed  for 
the  support  of  the  ministry,  and  from  the  beginning,  the  Church  has 
not  only  sustained  itself,  but  has  contributed  liberally  to  the  various 
objects  of  Christian  benevolence. 

It  was  not  originated  on  account  of  any  dissension  or  rivalry,  but 
from  a  conviction   that  a  Baptist  Church  was   needed   in  tlie  rapidly- 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  137 

growing  West  End  of  the  city  ;  and  the  movement  obtained  at  once  the 
sympathy  and  encouragement  of  all  the  sister  Churches. 

The  "Church  Extension  Society,"  composed  of  members  of  the  city 
Churches,  became  actively  interested  in  the  erection  of  a  house  of  wor- 
ship for  the  new  Church.  Bro.  Alexander  D.  Kelly,  then  president  of 
that  Society,  and  Eev.  F.  Wilson,  its  secretary,  selected  the  site  upon 
which  the  present  edifice  stands,  on  Calhoun  street,  north  of  Lexing- 
ton. The  Homes  of  the  Aged  were  not  then  built  on  the  adjoining 
corner  lots.  The  ground  cost  $4,400 ;  the  building,  which  was  com- 
pleted in  about  a  year,  cost  about  $20,000.  In  November,  1855,  the 
house  was  dedicated.  Only  a  few  of  the  members  had  contributed  an 
appreciable  part  of  the  large  expense. 

The  first  pastor  was  Eev.  Ceorge  B.  Taylor,  who  entered  service  in 
September,  1855.  The  first  baptism  took  place,  Feb.  7, 1856.  Shortly 
after,  Bro.  J.  L.  Holmes  united  with  this  Church,  and  was  aided  by 
it  in  pursuing  his  studies  in  Columbian  University.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  June  4,  1858,  and  labored  in  China  as  a  missionary, 
until  October,  1861,  when  he  was  murdered  by  the  Tae  Ping  rebels. 

For  several  years,  the  Church  experienced  much  hardship.  The  lo- 
cation was  then  isolated;  the  streets  and  sidewalks  unpav^d;  the  heat- 
ing apparatus  defective  ;  the  cellar  frequently  flooded  ;  and  during  the 
first  winter  a  succession  of  severe  snow-storms  occurred,  which  almost 
suspended  attendance  at  the  services.  A  long  plank  foot-walk  which 
led  to  the  church  was  stolen  for  firewood.  But  the  pastor  and  his 
people  struggled  along,  in  the  hope  of  establishing  the  permanent  and 
prosperous  Zion  which  has  since  rewarded  all  their  labors. 

Bro.  Taylor  held  two  protracted  meetings,  in  which  he  was  aided  by 
Rev.  A.  E.  Dickinson,  of  Va.,  and  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  during  which 
many  persons  were  converted,  some  of  whom  became  useful  members. 
During  this  pastorate,  31  persons  were  added  by  baptism,  and  33  by 
letter.  The  monthly  concert  of  prayer  for  missions  was  established, 
and  has  been  held  regularly  since.  On  April  11,  1856,  the  Church 
by  resolution  planted  itself  firmly  in  favor  of  the  great  cause  of  Tem- 
perance. On  Sept.  5,  1857,  Bro.  Taylor  resigned.  During  his  leisure 
hours,  he  had  written  the  "Oakland  Stories,"  a  series  of  volumes  for 
the  young,  which  achieved  a  deserved  popularity.  Since  that  time, 
Bro.  Taylor's  reputation  has  become  world-wide,  as  missionary  in  Italy. 

The  membership  now  numbered  86,  and  for  a  year  or  more,  were 
without  a  pastor,  during  which  time  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson  was  invited 
to  preach  and  perform  such  pastoral  work  as  his  health  would  permit, 
which  he  did  most  faithfully  and  satisfactorily. 

On  October  15,  1858,  Rev.  Francis  M.  Barker,  of  Virginia,  became 
pastor.     His  labors  were  attended  with  a  cheering  revival.     Numerous- 


1 38  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

•additions  were  made  by  conversion  iind  letter.  But  on  account  of  do- 
mestic ties,  Bro.  Barker  resigned,  in  less  than  a  year,  and  returned  to 
his  native  State,  in  September,  1859.  He  has  since  deceased.  During 
his  stay  here,  21  persons  were  baptized  and  14  received  by  letter,  bring- 
ing the  total  membership  up  to  118. 

Possibly,  one  reason  that  promoted  the  decision  of  Bro.  Barker  not  to 
remain  here,  was  the  fact  that  the  acoustic  defects  of  the  church 
caused  a  reverberation  of  his  powerful  voice  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
render  his  words  indistinct,  and  therefore  much  of  his  able  discourse 
was  lost.  This  fault  in  the  sound  became  still  more  apparent  under 
the  preaching  of  his  successor.  Several  architects  were  consulted,  and 
some  expensive  alterations  were  made,  but  no  successful  remedy  was 
found  until  1866,  when  an  arc  or  curve  of  seven  feet  span  was  inserted 
at  the  junction  of  the  four  walls  and  ceiling.  This  made  the  acoustics 
of  the  hall  satisfactory  to  every  speaker  and  hearer. 

In  August,  1859,  the  Church  became  incorporated,  and  the  Church 
Extension  Society  transferred  the  church  property  to  its  trustees. 

In  October,  1859,  Rev.  Thos.  H.  Pritchard,  of  North  Carolina,  took 
charge  of  the  Church,  and  remained  pastor  until  September,  1863,  near- 
ly four  years.  During  most  of  this  period,  the  land  was  convulsed  with 
•civil  war,  and  there  was  a  general  distraction  of  mind  on  account  of 
the  nearness  to  the  conflict;  yet,  many  times,  the  congregations  were 
large ;  13  were  added  by  baptism  and  40  by  letter,  making  the  total 
membership  150. 

After  an  interval  of  six  months.  Rev.  Tiberius  Gracchus  Jones,  D.  D., 
of  Norfolk,  Va.,  became  pastor,  March  4, 1864,  and  remained  until  Dec. 
1,  1865.  The  War  continuing  part  of  that  time,  the  Church  made  but 
little  progress,  the  additions  being  one  by  baptism  and  five  by  letter. 

For  sixteen  months  the  Church  was  again  without  a  pastor,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Wilson  supplied  its  ministrations  as  before.  Twelve  converts  were 
baptized  by  him,  and  eight  were  added  by  letter;  but  so  many  members 
were  excluded  for  unfaithfulness,  or  dismissed  to  other  Churches,  that 
only  118  names  were  left  on  the  roll  book. 

On  April  1,  1867,  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Hatcher,  of  Virginia,  became  pastor, 
but  remained  only  fifteen  months,  resigning  July,  1868,  to  return  to  his 
native  State,  where  he  has  since  held  important  pastorates,  and  acted 
•of  late  years  as  editor  of  the  "Religious  Herald,"  in  Richmond.  During 
his  term,  27  were  baptized  and  41  added  by  letter,  increasing  the  total 
membership  to  181. 

In  August,  1S66,  the  congregation  resolved  to  cushion  the  pews  and 
•otherwise  improve  their  sanctuary.  This  was  done  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
which  was  raised  among  themselves.  From  that  date,  an  era  of  pros- 
perity began,  which  has  continued  to  the  present  time.    Previously,  the 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 39 

Church  had  been  indebted  to  the  Church  Extension  Society  for  its 
house  of  worship,  only  two  or  three  of  its  members  contributing  liber- 
ally toward  its  erection,  and  therefore  the  great  body  of  them,  not  hav- 
ing made  sacrifice  for  it,  did  not  feel  the  same  interest  in  it  they  cher- 
ished after  their  own  money  had  been  invested  there.  Much  practical 
good  resulted  from  this,  and  valuable  lessons  may  be  learned  from  the 
fact. 

On  Sept.  14,  1868,  Rev.  J.  B.  Hawthorne  was  elected  pastor.  The 
succeeding  year  was  one  of  great  blessing  to  the  Churches  of  Baltimore, 
all  of  which  were  cheered  by  revivals  of  more  or  less  power;  and  the 
Franklin  Square  Church  shared  in  this  season  of  refreshing.  Eev.  A. 
B.  Earle  visited  the  city,  and  by  his  labors  awakened  both  pastors  and 
people  to  more  earnest  prayer  and  active  effort  for  the  salvation  of  sin" 
ners.  Bro.  Hawthorne  baptized  72  persons,  and  35  were  added  by  let- 
ter, increasing  the  membership  to  240.  Bro.  Hawthorne  resigned  in 
June,  1870,  to  go  to  Albany,  N.  Y. 

In  January,  1868,  a  systematic  plan  was  adopted  for  collecting  funds 
by  means  of  weekly  contributions  deposited  in  envelopes.  This  system 
was  gradually  improved  by  the  teachings  of  experience,  and  finally  in- 
corporated in  the  Manual  as  obligatory.  It  has  proved  to  be  the  most 
successful  means  ever  adopted  for  providing  a  regular  income. 

In  1868,  a  house  was  purchased  ,  to  be  used  as  a  parsonage.  Some, 
years  later,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  dispose  of  it,  and  the  money  re- 
ceived was  applied  to  enlarging  the  church  edifice. 

On  May  11,  1868,  a  reunion  was  held  of  all  the  former  pastors,  ex- 
cepting only  Rev.  F.  M.  Barker,  recently  deceased.  Rev.  C  F.  Adams 
and  Eev.  Dr.  Wilson,  who  had  frequently  served  as  supply,  were  also 
present.     A  large  congregation  enjoyed  pleasant  remarks  from  each. 

In  1869,  a  Foreign  Mission  society  was  formed.  A  mission  Sunday 
school  was  also  sustained  temporarily.  A  "plan  of  organization"  was 
likewise  adopted,  by  which  all  the  members  might  be  placed  at  work. 

In  1870,  the  lecture  room  was  enlarged,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500. 

In  January,  1870,  the  Church  mourned  the  death  of  Bro.  W.  W.  Law- 
rason,  one  of  its  original  membei's,  a  deacon,  treasurer,  Sunday  school 
superintendent  and  leader  of  the  choir.  To  the  gratuitous  services  of 
Bro.  Lawrason  and  family,  the  congregation  had  been  indebted  during 
fifteen  years  for  the  delightful  music  of  their  public  worship.  Suitable 
resolutions  were  passed,  eulogizing  his  character  and  self-sacrificing 
labors.  In  1880,  Mrs.  Lawrason  died.  A  beautiful  stained  glass  win- 
dow was  placed  by  their  children  over  the  front  entrance  of  the  church, 
as  a  memorial  of  these  beloved  members. 

On  March  1,  1871,  Rev.  G.  W.  Sanderlin,  of  North  Carolina,  began 
his  pastorate.     He  served  for  five  years,  during  which  the  Church  ad- 


140  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

vanced  rapidly  in  numbers  and  usefulness.  Perfect  harmony  reigned, 
pastor  and  people  labored  together  earnestly;  all  the  benevolent  efforts 
of  the  Church  were  greatly  stimulated  by  his  faithful  appeals,  and  God 
crowned  the  union  with  his  blessing.  During  this  period,  115  were 
baptized,  and  146  added  by  letter,  increasing  the  total  to  377.  During 
this  time  also,  the  present  elegant  and  beautiful  organ  was  purchased, 
at  a  cost  of  $3,000  ;  and  the  lecture  room  was  entirely  renovated. 

In  1876,  the  health  of  Bro.  Sanderlin  became  greatly  impaired,  and 
by  the  advice  of  physicians  he  resigned  the  charge,  to  relinquish  pastor- 
al duties  for  at  least  a  few  years.  He  is  now  restored  to  health,  and 
living  on  his  farm  in  North  Carolina.  Just  prior  to  his  resignation, 
Eev.  J.  L.  Hutson,  of  Virginia,  aided  him  in  a  protracted  meeting- 
Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Cole  and  Eev.  James  Nelson  had  previously  labored  here. 

In  1872;  the  Young  Men's  City  Mission  Society  was  first  organized, 
which  opened  a  mission  on  Columbia  Avenue,  and  subsequently,  under 
a  reorganization,  conducted  the  West  End  Mission,  on  Fulton  Avenue. 

After  an  interval  of  five  months.  Rev.  C.  C.  Bitting,  D.  D.,  of  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  entered  upon  this  field  as  pastor,  September  1,  1876.  The 
Church  had  become  somewhat  depressed  by  the  illness  of  its  former 
pastor  and  the  continued  financial  disturbances  in  the  community ; 
but  Dr.  Bitting's  vigorous  and  inspiriting  preaching  soon  restored 
a  healthful  condition,  and  the  Church  rapidly  took  a  leading  position 
in  the  denomination.  The  congregations  attracted  by  the  pastor's  dis- 
courses necessitated  the  enlargement  of  the  church.  It  was  completely 
renovated  and  beautified,  under  the  supervision  of  J.  Appleton  Wilson, 
Architect,  a  member  of  the  Church.  Its  seating  capacity  was  increased, 
and  new  pews,  a  new  pulpit,  new  stained  glass  windows,  a  marble  bap- 
tistery, and  other  improvements,  were  introduced.  It  was  handsomely 
frescoed  and  carpeted.     The  total  cost  was  $6,000. 

Besides  the  above  expenditures,  the  contributions  for  Missions  were 
also  increased.  Dr.  Bitting  remained  about  seven  years,  which  were 
marked  by  general  prosperity.  In  August,  1883,  he  resigned,  to  accept 
the  position  of  Bible  Secretary  of  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  in  Philadelphia.  During  his  term,  172  persons  were  baptized, 
and  the  total  number  of  members  reached  496. 

In  May,  1881,  the  Church  experienced  a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of 
Bro.  W.  H.  Hamer,  who  had  been  for  a  number  of  years  a  deacon,  and 
also  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school ;  and  who,  by  his  faithful- 
ness in  every  duty,  his  wise  counsels,  his  active  labors  and  liberal  ben- 
efactions had  greatly  added  to  her  prosperity. 

For  two  brief  periods,  the  latter  ending  with  his  death.  Rev.  Geo.  F. 
Adams,  D.  D.,  had  his  membership  with  this  Church.  One  of  the  pi- 
oneers of  our  cause  fifty  years  ago,  he  was  regarded  in  his  old  age  as  a 
Avorthy  veteran,  and  his  venerable  form  was  always  made  Avelcome. 


JMaryland  Baptist  History.  141 

Among  the  members  recently  deceased,  we  nunie  Mrs.  J.  Frank  Brown, 
who  with  lier  luisband  came  from  the  Seventh  Church  in  1876.  She 
had  been  a  Baptist  for  twenty-six  years  and  was  identified  with  much 
benevolent  work.     After  a  long,  painful  illness,  she  died,  Oct.  ]3,  1884. 

In  October,  188.3,  fifty-five  members  withdrew,  to  organize  the  Fulton 
Avenue  Baptist  Church,  which  grew  out  of  the  West  End  mission,  sus- 
tained by  this  Church  for  several  years. 

In  1883-4,  a  two-story  addition  was  built  to  the  lecture  room,  giving 
a  library,  a  large  room  to  the  infant  class  of  the  Sunday  school,  and 
a  handsome  parlor  for  reading  or  social  meetings. 

Eev.  A.  Judson  Rowland,  D.  D.,  entered  service  as  pastor  of  this 
Church,  March  1,  1884.  His  labors  have  already  been  blessed  in  the 
further  upbuilding  of  the  cause.  Up  to  April,  1885,  fifty  persons  have 
been  baptized  by  him  and  forty  received  by  letter.  The  Sunday  school, 
to  which  the  pastor's  wife  greatly  devotes  herself,  has  also  enjoyed  much 
prosperity.  On  a  recent  Sabbath,  490  teachers  and  scholars  were  present. 

Although  so  many  changes  have  occurred  in  the  pastoral  relation,  it 
is  to  be  remarked  that  not  one  of  them  was  occasioned  by  any  interrup- 
tion of  harmony  between  the  pastor  and  the  Church. 

In  a  recent  notice  of  Franklin  Square  Church,  Dr.  Bitting  justly  re- 
marked, that  "Rev.  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  one  of  the  constituent  mem- 
bers, has  also  been  one  of  the  loved  benefactors  of  the  Church.  The 
aggregated  time  of  the  intervals  during  which  he  has  gratuitously 
supplied  the  vacant  pastorate,  has  exceeded  the  longest  term  but  one 
of  all  the  regular  pastors.  His  prudence  and  wisdom  in  council,  his 
unremitting  punctuality,  notwithstanding  bodily  infirmity  ;  his  loving 
heart ;  his  generous  contributions  to  every  good  cause  ;  his  active  sup- 
port to  every  pastor ;  his  ready  and  able  help  in  all  labor,  and  his  sin- 
cere and  warm  sympathies,  have  justly  merited  the  preeminent  place 
which  he  holds  in  the  aflections  of  the  Church.  To  him,  under  God, 
more  than  to  any  other  human  instrument,  she  feels  that  her  growth 
and  present  prosperity  are  due." 

The  Sunday  school  has  from  its  foundation  always  been  a  great  fac- 
tor in  the  moving  force  of  this  Church.  It  has  truly  been  a  nursery 
through  which  scores  of  the  young  have  been  trained  to  Christian  life. 
The  superintendents  have  been,  successively,  Wm.  H.  Ryan,  Franklin 
Wilson,  Thomas  Toy,  W.  W.  Lawrason,  William  H.  Hamer,  J.  Frank 
Brown,  G.  S.  Howser,  and  W.  Judson  Brown. 

The  deacons  have  been  as  follows :  J.  \V.  Jevens,  W.  W.  Lawrason, 
C.  H.  Pepar,  C.  West,  B.  Todd,  W.  H.  Hamer,  Patterson  Bayne,  Wm. 
B.  Graves,  W.  Judson  Brown,  G.  S.  Howser,  J.  Frank  Brown,  Charles 
S.  Adams,  George  G.  Tyler,  P.  R.  Clark.  Present  treasurer,  Charles  S. 
Adams;  clerk,  Fort  E.  Wilson.      Membership,  465. 


142  Marvland  Baptist  History, 


LEE    STREET    B  A  PT  I  S  T  C  H  U  R  C  H  , 
BALTIMORE.. 

For  many  years,  the  First  Baptist  Church  stood  as  the  sole  beacon 
of  Baptist  faith  in  the  southwestern  part  of  our  city.  Her  light  was 
radiant,  but  it  could  not  extend  to  every  dark  spot.  Hence  there  was 
a  necessity  for  one  or  more  Baptist  Churches  amid  the  large  population 
covering  a  space  half  a  mile  wide  and  a  mile  long,  south  of  that  church. 
The  membership  of  that  body  felt  their  I'esponsibility  in  this  matter, 
and  after  an  exploration  of  the  field  resolved  to  attempt  a  missionary 
eflFort.  Brethren  Joseph  B.  Thomas,  sen.,  and  William  H.  Hamer,  were 
among  the  active  promoters  of  the  enterprise,  and  Mrs.  James  Wilson, 
Mrs.  Nelson  Clark,  Miss  Eliza  M.  Wilson,  and  Mr.  Melville  Wilson,  all 
noted  for  their  consecrated  benevolence,  proffered  the  necessary  pecuni- 
ary aid.  The  Church,  at  a  regular  meeting,  February  5,  1854,  passed 
the  following  resolution,  endorsing  the  movement :  "Resolved,  That  a 
committee  of  four  persons  be  appointed  to  procure  subscriptions  under 
the  authority  of  this  Church,  and  to  lease  a  lot  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Federal  .Hill,  on  which  to  erect  a  building  for  the  accommodation  of 
a  Sunday  school,  and  when  a  sufficient  amount  of  subscriptions  shall 
have  been  procured,  to  proceed  to  the  completion  of  said  object."  Jos. 
B.  Thomas,  W.  H.  Hamer,  M.  Wilson  and  S.  Scribner  were  appointed. 
A  resolution  was  also  passed  looking  to  the  employment  of  Eev.  John 
H.  Phillips  as  a  missionary  in  this  field.  Rev.  Dr.  Adams  states  that 
"the  action  of  the  First  Church  in  adopting  these  resolutions  may  be 
properly  regarded  as  the  first  definite  movement  made  toward  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Lee  Street  Baptist  Church."* 


*There  had  been,  however,  a  transient  effort  made  previous  to  this,  by  Dr.  W. 
Burlingame,  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Church,  to  establish  a  mission  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  Hanover  and  Montgomery  streets.  Dr.  Burlingame  was  practising 
dentistry,  having  retired  from  the  pastorate,  but  preached  occasionally,  and  organ- 
ized a  Sunday  school  at  this  location.  His  helpers  were  brethren  J.  C.  M'Connell, 
Wm.  Sweet  and  Wm.  Addison,  Delahay,  Sliarp.  and  several  ladies.  The  first 
place,  a  public  hair,  being  too  expensive,  they  rented  the  second  floor  of  a  large 
carpenter  shop,  on  the  site  where  St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  church  now  stands,  and 
about  a  hundred  children  were  gathered  for  Sunday  instruction.  This  mission 
lasted  five  or  six  months,  but  not  being  supported  by  any  Church,  gave  but  little 
indication  of  permanence.    When  the  movement  was  made,  above  mentioned,  the 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  143-. 

We  extract  the  following  memoranda  of  this  undertaking  from  a 
historical  discourse  by  Eev.  Dr.  John  Pollard,  delivered  in  1876. 

The  committee  went  immediately  to  work.  They  rented  premises  on 
Hill  street,  one  door  from  Hanover,  then  occupied  as  a  stable,  holding 
twenty-two  horses  and  cows.  The  live  stock  were  transferred  elsewhere, 
and  the  building  thoroughly  cleansed,  renovated,  refronted,  and  fitted 
up  with  seats,  gas,  &c.  Bro.  Jos.  B.  Thomas  personally  attended  to  all 
the  work  of  remodel-ling.  On  March  26, 1854,  the  place  was  opened  for 
public  worship,  and  a  Sunday  school  was  organized,  with  twelve  schol- 
ars, six  teachers,  and  Bro.  Hamer  superintendent.  The  prospect  at 
once  became  hopeful;  the  school  grew  rapidly,  and  within  a  year  num- 
bered one  hundred  and  fifty-four  pupils,  with  a  good  library  and  other 
equipments.  This  success  was  not  acquired  without  anxious  and  ar- 
duous toil.  As  illustrating  what  earnestness  and  determination  were 
exhibited,  the  fact  is  worthy  of  record  that  on  afternoons  when  the 
children  were  dismissed  from  the  public  schools,  the  wife  of  the  superin- 
tendent might  have  been  seen  at  the  door,  as  the  crowds  of  little  ones 
rushed  out  from  their  studies,  inviting  them  with  cheerful,  pleasant 
words,  to  come  to  the  Hill  street  school,  on  the  next  Sunday  morning. 
It  was  by  work  like  this,  and  the  visiting  of  f^imilies  by  officers  and 
teachers,  that  prosperity  was  secured. 

But  a  Baptist  Church  was  needed,  as  well  as  a  school,  and  measures 
had  been  adopted  to  that  end.  In  March,  1854,  the  First  Church  voted 
that  Eev.  John  H.  Phillips  should  be  employed  to  preach  in  the  Hill 
street  chapel;  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  make  collections  to 
sustain  the  mission.  Eegular  preaching  was  had,  on  every  Sabbath,  in 
addition  to  the  services  of  the  school,  and  sometimes  the  room  Avas 
crowded  with  attentive  hearers.  In  about  a  year,  on  April  30,  1855, 
nine  brethren  and  nineteen  sisters,  mostly  from  the  First  Church, 
brought  their  letters,  and  organized  a  Church. 

The  first  officers  were  as  follows  :  J.  D.  Marsters  and  Joseph  Ward,, 
deacons;  Jos.  C.  Eiley,  clerk;  Fred'k  W.  King,  treasurer. 

Bro.  Phillips  was  elected  pastor.  The  Church  was  admitted  into 
the  Association  in  November,  1855,  and  reported  fifty-six  members. 

About  this  time,  the  Baptist  Church  Extension  Society  purchased 
the  house  of  worship  then  occupied  by  St.  Stephen's  P.  E.  Church,  on 
Lee  street,  near  Hanover,  and  offered  it  to  the  new  Church.  As  the 
building  was  greatly  superior  to  their  own,  the  Church  gratefully  ac- 
cepted it,  and  removed  to  Lee  street,  changing  their  title  accordingly 

school  was  disbanded,  and  the  children  recommended  to  attend  the  new  one. 
Several  of  the  teachers  now  took  part  in  the  mission  school  corner  of  Fremont  at. 
and  Elbow  Lane ;  two  of  them,  brethren  Addison  and  Sweet,  subsequently  joined 
Lee  street  Church.     Dr.  Burlingame  deceased  about  the  year  1870. 


144  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  house  to  which  the  brethren  and  sisters  thus  came,  though  built 
by  Episcopalians  for  themselves,  seems  to  have  been  predestinated  to 
be  a  Baptist  church,  for  by  some  almost  unaccountable  circumstance, 
the  builders  had  constructed — what  is  to  them  a  useless  appurtenance 
— a  large  and  well  arranged  baptistery,  admirably  suited  to  the  immer- 
sion of  believers. 

The  change  of  location  greatly  advanced  the  growth  of  the  Church^ 
which  in  1856  reported  seventy-five  members.  The  school  increased  to 
200  scholars.  In  September,  1858,  Bro.  Phillips  resigned,  after  a  fruit- 
ful service  of  over  three  years  with  this  charge. 

For  eight  months  the  Church  was  now  without  a  pastor.  During 
this  time,  it  moved  under  judicious  care,  and  ordained  one  of  its  mem- 
bers. Rev.  J.  B.  T.  Patterson,  to  the  ministry.  Eev.  F.  Wilson  and 
•other  ministers  supplied  the  pulpit. 

In  May,  1859,  Rev.  R.  J.  Wilson,  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  was  elected  pas- 
tor, but  in  less  than  a  year,  in  March,  1860,  feeble  health  compelled 
him  to  resign,  to  go  to  a  more  southern  clime.  He  left  a  membership 
of  170.  Shortly  afterward,  at  a  business  meeting,  the  following  pream- 
ble and  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"Whereas,  there  is  a  want  of  agreement  among  professing  Christians 
as  to  the  propriety  of  participating  in  certain  amusements;  and  whereas, 
it  is  deemed  important  that  some  rule  should  be  made,  governing  this 
Church,  so  as  to  avoid  the  very  appearance  of  evil  in  this  matter. 

Therefore,  Resolved,  that  attending  theatrical  performances,  dancing 
partips,  circuses,  and  negro  operas,  be  considered  an  ofience  against  the 
Church,  and  consequently  a  matter  for  discipline." 

Rev.  Isaac  Cole,  M.  D.,  was  called,  and  entered  the  pastorate  in  May, 
1860.  His  service  marks  an  era  in  the  progress  of  the  Church,  although 
it  lasted  throughout  the  gloomy  period  of  the  Civil  War.  Dr.  Cole,  in 
those  days,  was  an  ardent  and  eloquent  speaker,  and  carried  on  revival 
meetings  with  great  success.  The  Church  was  greatly  blessed  by  his 
faithful  ministry.  Having  been  formerly  a  Methodist,  it  was  often  re- 
marked that  he  believed  in  Methodist  fire  and  Baptist  water,  as  means 
to  create  the  powerful  motor  steam.  Dr.  Cole  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  rebuilding  the  house  of  worship,  which  had  become  unequal 
for  the  purposes  of  the  Church.  In  May,  1852,  it  was  torn  down,  and 
the  people  met  for  worship  in  the  No.  2,  Engine  House,  on  Barre  street, 
for  about  four  months. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  present  building  was  laid,  May  26,  1863. 
Addresses  were  delivered  by  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Edwards,  D.  D.,  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  Rev.  Thos.  H.  Pritchard,  then  pastor  of  Franklin  Square 
Church.  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  and  Bro.  Hiram  Woods  laid  the  corner-stone. 
In  October  the  lecture  room  was  completed  and  occupied  by  the  con- 


LEE  STREET  BAPTIST  CHURCH 


BALTIMORE. 


REV.  H.  M.  WHARTON. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  147 

gregatioii ;  and  on  June  26,  1864,  the  whole  house  was  finished,  and 
dedicated.  Dr.  Richard  Fuller,  Dr.  J.  W.  M.  Williams  and  Dr.  F. 
Wilson  preached  daring  the  day.  The  entire  actual  cost  of  the  edifice 
was  $15,206.46.  The  Church  members  contributed  |3,000.  Hiram 
Woods  and  Dr.  F.  Wilson  gave  |2,000,  each ;  Samuel  Bevan  |1,000 ; 
Henry  Taylor  |700,  and  others  less  amounts,  tlius  representing  a  gen- 
erosity which  the  Church  gratefully  remembers.  The  Baptist  family 
in  Baltimore  have  always  shown  a  fraternal *nterest  in  the  Lee  street 
Church,  and  it  now  stands  in  a  position  where,  in  its  turn,  it  can  show 
the  same  spirit  in  extending  the  Redeemer's  cause. 

Dr.  Cole  having  finished  his  labors  toward  building  and  paying  for 
this  new  house,  thought  proper  to  resign  his  charge  in  June,  1865.  He 
will  ever  be  held  in  thankful  remembrance  for  his  self-sacrificing  devo- 
tion and  indefatigable  labors.  He  is  spending  his  last  years  at  his  home 
near  Westminster. 

On  September  25,  1865,  Rev.  James  Dubois,  of  New  York,  became 
pastor,  but  resigned  at  the  end  of  a  year.  For  eight  months  the  field 
was  without  pastoral  oversight,  but  the  members  seemed  disposed  to 
oversee  themselves.  At  a  business  meeting,  Feb.  22, 1867,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  examine  the  Church  roll  and  report  the  condition  of 
the  membership.  The  ensuing  month,  they  reported  the  total  number 
at  207;  which  they  divided  into  three  classes:  "98  good,  22  doubtful 
and  87  bad."  That  was  surely  a  large  mixture  of  the  evil  with  the 
pure,  particularly  for  a  Baptist  Church,  where  the  principle  of  a  con- 
verted Church  membership  is  the  accepted  theory;  but  it  was  a  hopeful 
sign  that  the  sound  flesh  in  the  body  was  trying  to  throw  off  that  which 
was  gangrened.  The  last  named  cases  were  referred  to  the  deacons  for 
a  careful  examination,  who,  at  the  next  business  meeting,  preferred  nu- 
merous charges  against  delinquent  and  unworthy  members.  Without 
the  slightest  hesitation  or  misgiving,  eighty-one  were  at  once  excluded 
from  the  fellowship  of  the  Church.* 

Eev,  S.  C,  Boston,  a  native  of  this  State,  but  at  the  time  laboring  in 
Virginia,  was  elected  pastor,  and  entered  service  in  May,  1868.  Bro. 
Boston  labored  here  in  his  usual  pure,  efficient  and  earnest  manner,  for 


*  After  narrating  the  above  fact,  Dr.  Pollard  says,  "I  never  knew  of  such  a  case 
before.  A  Church  excommunicating  eightyone  persons  at  one  time — more  than 
one-third  of  their  entire  membership — and  that  too  without  a  pastor  to  lead  them  ! 
It  showed  resolution,  it  showed  courage,  it  showed  that  the  eyes  of  the  brethren 
were  opening  to  the  fact  that  there  is  no  place  in  the  Church  of  Christ  for  the 
vicious,  or  the  worldly,  or  the  slothful.  What  was  done  with  the"doubtful,"  the 
record  does  not  show.  Unquestionably,  the  Church  should  have  dealt  with  them 
as  she  did  with  the  "bad  ;"  for  in  this  life  no  man,  and  especially  no  professing 
Christian  has  aright  to  occupy  a  doubtful  position  between  Christ  and  the  world. 
Jesus  himself  has  said,  'I  would  thou  wert  cold  or  hot.  So  then,  because  thou  art 
lukewarm,  and  neither  cold  nor  hot,  I  will  spew  thee  out  of  my  mouth.'  " 


148  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

about  two  years.  During  his  time,  some  of  the  most  faithful  members 
came  into  the  Church,  and  there  was  organized  the  "Young  Disciples' 
Association,"  a  society  which  has  greatly  promoted  the  piety  of  the 
younger  people,  and  trained  them  for  usefulness.  To  Brol  Frank  A. 
Bierbower,  now  deceased,  is  due  the  honor  of  having  proposed  this  or- 
ganization, which  still  flourishes.  Bro.  Boston's  residence  in  Baltimore 
was  saddened  by  the  long  illness  and  death  of  his  wife. 

In  December,  1869,  after  an  absence  of  eleven  years,  Eev.  J.  H.  Phil- 
lips was  engaged  as  a  supply  for  six  months,  during  which  a  revival 
occurred,  and  many  converts  were  brought  into  the  fold. 

On  October  15,  1870,  Eev.  John  Pollard  of  Virginia,  accepted  charge 
of  the  Lee  street  Church.  There  had  been  some  divisions  among  the 
members,  and  the  congregations  had  greatly  diminished.  Within  iwo 
months,  perfect  harmony  was  recovered,  and  the  Church  began  a  new 
era  of  prosperity.  Up  to  that  period,  the  Executive  Board  had  aided 
in  the  support  of  the  pastors.  This  was  now  dispensed  with  ;  and  in 
return,  a  contribution  has  been  made  every  year  since  to  the  Board. 
Bro.  Pollard  was  happily  successful  in  bringing  his  people  to  recognize 
their  privileges  and  duties  as  disciples  of  Christ.  Contributions  were 
greatly  increased;  the  building  was  improved  ;  a  new  organ  was  pur- 
chased ;  and  the  Church  assumed  a  higher  standing  generally.  The 
pastor  held  several  protracted  meetings,  in  which  he  was  assisted  by 
Kev.  James  Nelson  and  Eev.  H.  G.  DeWitt,  which  resulted  in  strength- 
ening her.  Two  young  men,  trained  in  her  Sunday  school,  were  con- 
verted and  sent  forth  to  preach.  They  are  now  in  the  ministry.  Eev. 
Henry  C.  Applegarth,  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  Eev.  F.  LaBarrer, 
pastor  of  Woodberry  Church,  Balto.  Co.  The  membership  increased 
each  year  until  it  reached  407,  in  1880.  Dr.  Pollard  was  three  times 
elected  moderator  of  the  Maryland  Union  Association.  He  resigned 
the  Church  in  1880,  after  a  term  of  over  nine  years,  to  accept  the  large 
and  responsible  charge  of  Leigh  street  Church,  in  Eichmond,  Va. 

In  1880,  about  $1,200  were  expended  in  improvements  of  the  church. 

Eev.  H.  M.  Wharton,  of  Luray,  Va.,  accepted  the  call  of  this  Church, 
in  January,  1881,  and  entered  the  pastorate  with  characteristic  ardor. 
A  revival  spirit  constantly  attended  his  preaching,  and  hundreds  of 
souls  were  converted.  The  Church  was  largely  increased,  and  its  in- 
fluence greatly  extended  over  the  population  of  that  part  of  the  city, 
leading  ultimately  to  the  organization  of  a  new  Church  further  south. 
About  $1,000  was  contributed,  in  1882,  towards  a  Baptist  chapel  in 
Italy.  Bro.  Wharton  resigned  in  December,  1883,  to  engage  in  editor- 
ial and  evangelistic  Avork,  leaving  the  Church  with  770  members. 

In  March,  1884,  Eev.  W.  F.  Kone,  of  Alabama,  accepted  charge  of 
this  responsible  field,  and  is  pastor  at   present.     One  of  his  first  acts 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  149 

has  been  to  aid  in  ihe  organization  of  the  new  body  above  referred  to. 
h\  Nov.,  1884,  thirty-three  of  his  members  constituted  the  Riverside 
Church.  Bro.  Kone  is  a  faithful  preacher,  and  up  to  this  time  has  re- 
ceived seventy-five  accessions  to  the  Church. 

Lee  Street  Church  has  now  two  young  men  studying  at  Crozer  Sem- 
inary :  brethren  Frank  G.  McGee  and  John  W.  Lyell. 

The  following  brethren  have  served  as  deacons  since  the  two  already 
named  at  the  organization  in  1855  :  Richard  King,  W.  H.  Hamer,  Geo. 
A.  Cox,  John  E.  Nimmo,  Charles  D.  Milbourne,  Francis  LaBarrer,  W. 
T.  Adams,  Jonathan  Shakspeare,  Geo.  T.  Jones,  Jos.  C.  Riley,  John  J. 
G.  Riley,  Robert  Hults,  John  W.  Billups,  Jas.  Pollard,  J.  M.  Gressitt. 
Present  treasurer.  Dr.  C.  E.  Bierbower;  clerk,  Jas.  E.  Shafi'er. 

Since  the  origin  of  the  Sunday  school,  after  Bro.  Hamer,  the  follow- 
ing brethren  have  served  as  superintendent:  .J.  D.  Marsters,  Richard 
King,  Jos.  C.  Riley,  F.  A.  Bierbower,  George  T.  Jones,  James  Pollard, 
John  M.  Gressitt.     The  school  numbers  300  scholars. 

We  conclude,  in  the  language  of  Bro.  John  J.  G.  Riley,  "While  this 
Church  has  passed  through  some  very  dark  days,  yet  the  Lord  has 
never  forgotten  her.  Those  who  have  knowledge  of  her  history,  can 
readily  see  that  she  was  not  a  vine  of  man's  planting,  but  of  the  Lord's. 
She  has  grown  steadily  and  solidly.  Blessed  be  God  for  the  noble  pi- 
oneers who  left  their  places  of  ease  and  comfort  to  go  out  on  the  high- 
ways and  by-ways  to  teach  his  truth !  It  can  be  safely  said  of  those  at 
least  who  have  passed  from  the  earthly  vineyard  to  the  heavenly  rest, 
that  'they  have  their  reward' — a  comfort  to  those  who  are  still  striving 
against  many  adverse  circumstances  to  maintain  the  cause  so  faithfully 
established.     'Their  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.'  " 


150  Maryland  Baptist  History 


.856.* 

REHOBOTH  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  Church  is  located  in  the  lower  part  of  Somerset  county,  some 
eight  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Pocomoke  Kiver,  and  near  the  little  vil- 
lage whose  name  it  bears.  There  had  been  occasional  Baptist  preach- 
ing at  this  place,  years  before  the  meeting  house  was  built.  Rev.  Levin 
Henderson,  of  the  early  Pitts  Creek  Church,  used  to  preach  under  an 
arbor  on  the  same  spot  now  occupied  by  the  meeting  house.  About 
1828,  or  a  little  later,  a  series  of  meetings  was  held  by  Eev.  Wm.  Laws 
and  Eev.  Levin  Dix,  of  the  Accomack  Association,  Va.,  in  a  school 
house,  some  five  miles  below,  which  resulted  in  the  baptism  of  several 
persons.  These  united  with  the  Pitts  Creek  Church,  just  opposite, 
on  the  other  side  of  Pocomoke  river.  Among  them  was  a  Mrs.  Nancy 
Roach,  possessed  of  means,  whose  heart,  some  ten  years  later,  was  in- 
clined to  build  a  Baptist  meeting  house  and  give  it  to  the  Lord.  She 
secured  a  lot,  and  a  building  was  nearly  completed,  when  she  was  quite 
unexpectedly  removed  by  death.  Her  heirs  however  generously  carried 
out  her  wishes,  and  deeded  the  property  to  the  Rehoboth  Baptist 
Church,  after  its  organization.  The  house  was  of  the  best  material, 
well  built,  and  cost  about  $2,000.  Rev.  Joseph  Walker,  then  of  Acco- 
mack Association,  visited  the  community,  preached  the  dedicatory  ser- 
mon, and  excited  considerable  interest  by  a  number  of  services  held  in 
the  church  and  neighborhood. 

Not  long  after  this.  Rev.  Wm.  Laws,  Rev.  W.  A.  Dix,  Rev.  P.  Warren, 
sen.,  and  Rev.  George  Bradford,  of  the  same  Association,  paid  a  united 
visit  to  Rehoboth,  and  preached  several  days.  The  congregations  were 
immense.  On  this  occasion,  Bro.  S.  C.  Boston  was  baptized  by  Rev.  W. 
Laws,  the  first  baptism  perhaps  ever  witnessed  in  that  immediate  vicin- 
ity. A  few  months  later,  his  father,  Daniel  Boston,  was  baptized  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Walker,  during  another  visit. 

On  November  2,  1839,  the  following  brethren  and  sisters  were  regu- 
larly organized  into  what  is  known  as  the  Rehoboth  Baptist  Church: 
Thos.  Marshall,  Sally  Marshall,  Natia  Boston,  Peggy  Marshall,  Julia 
A.  Gibbons,  Susan  Payden,  Solomon  C.  Boston,  Daniel  Boston,  David 
Roach,  (col.)  Rev.  W.  Laws  presided  as  moderator,  and  Rev.  Richard 
Clark  acted  as  clerk  of  the  meeting. 

From  the  date  of  constitution  to  1843,  the  Church  had  no  regular 
pastor.     They  were  supplied  by  the  above  named  preachers  frequently, 

*Organized  in  1839;  entered  Maryland  Union  Association  1856. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  151 

and  enjoyed  several  precious  seasons  of  special  blessing.     At  one  time, 
forty-three  converts  were  added  to  them  by  baptism. 

In  January,  1843,  Eev.  George  Bradford  became  their  first  pastor. 
Their  services  under  him  became  fixed  and  regular,  and  he  built  up  a 
good  congregation.  He  remained  about  two  years  and  baptized  seven 
persons. 

In  November,  1845,  Bro.  S.  C.  Boston  was  called  to  the  pastorate, 
having  just  completed  his  course  of  study  at  Columbian  College.  On 
December  6,  he  was  ordained,  and  entered  upon  his  work.  Including 
■a  subsequent  term  from  1853  to  1857,  he  was  there  six  years.  At  the 
beginning  of  his  ministry  he  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  the  Mary- 
land Union  Association  to  labor  as  their  missionary  in  connection  with 
his  work  as  pastor  of  this  Church.  During  his  time,  then  and  later,  a 
house  of  worship  was  built  at  White  Haven,  in  the  upper  par{  of  Som- 
erset (now  Wicomico)  county,  and  a  Church  organized  there.  As  0- 
ticed  in  the  sketch  of  the  Pitts  Creek  Church,  that  interest  was  also 
revived,  and  a  Church  formed  and  house  of  worship  built  in  Pocomoke 
City.  During  the  last  year  of  his  pastorate,  the  Kehoboth  church, 
built  by  Mrs.  Eoach,  was  burned  to  the  ground,  through  the  careless- 
ness of  laborers,  while  burning  brush  in  an  adjoining  field.  By  the 
liberal  contributions  of  the  congregation  and  help  from  sympathizing 
friends  in  other  places,  enough  money  was  secured  in  a  year  or  so,  to 
erect  the  present  beautiful  building.  Bro.  Boston  baptized  twenty-five 
persons. 

Eev.  J.  H.  Phillips  was  pastor  for  two  years  and  baptized  fourteen 
converts.  Eev.  A.  G.  Harley  succeeded  him  for  eighteen  months,  and 
baptized  seven.  Eev.  0.  F.  Flippo  was  pastor  from  January,  1861,  to 
December,  1867,  and  baptized  thirty.  Eev.  J.  G.  Councill  served  from 
April,  1869,  to  October,  1870,  and  baptized  eight.  Eev.  L.  D.  Pauling 
followed,  for  four  years,  baptizing  forty-nine.  Eev.  H.  J,  Handy  occu- 
pied the  field  for  four  years  from  January,  1877,  and  baptized  fifteen. 
Eev.  J.  A.  Woolf  served  from  October,  1881,  to  July,  1883,  and  baptized 
twenty-one.  After  the  lapse  of  forty-six  years  from  his  baptism  there? 
Bro.  Boston  is  again  the  pastor  of  Eehoboth  Church,  having  entered 
the  charge  in  December,  1883. 

Bro.  Daniel  Boston  was  the  first  deacon  and  also  the  first  clerk  of 
this  Church,  both  of  which  oflfices  he  continued  to  fill  from  its  organ- 
ization in  1839  to  1861,  when,  from  infirmities  and  disease,  he  was  no 
longer  able  to  attend  the  sanctuary.  His  associates  in  the  deaconship 
at  different  times,  were  brethren  John  S.  Scarbrough,  George  F.  Ward» 
and  Wm.  T.  Adams.  The  present  deacons  are  brethren  Joshua  J* 
Mathews  and  A.  A.  Long.  His  successors  in  the  clerkship  have  been 
brethren  Adams,  Mathews,   L.  E.  Milbourne,  C.  A.  M'Cready,  and    T. 


152  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

H.  Beal.  The  treasurers  have  been  brethren  Ward,  G.  A.  Cox,  Adams^ 
T.  C.  Lankford,  John  Riggin  and  J.  J.  Mathews.  Dr.  S.  W.  Handy* 
brother  to  a  former  pastor,  was  a  very  active  member  until  his  death, 
two  years  ago. 

Being  aided  and  supplied  in  their  early  years  by  ministers  from  the 
Accomack  Association,  and  its  point  of  location  being  nearest  to  them, 
it  was  natural  for  the  Church  to  seek  membership  in  that  body,  which 
they  attained  in  1840.  But  after  fifteen  years,  they  withdrew  by  letter 
and  joined  the  Maryland  Union.  They  decided  to  take  this  action  be- 
cause the  Church  was  in  our  own  State  and  their  pastor  was  aided  by 
our  Board. 

This  little  Church  has  sent  out  four  ministers — Rev.  S.  C.  Boston, 
Eev.  F.  R.  Boston,  his  son,  now  settled  at  Warrenton,  Va.,  Rev.  H.  J. 
Handy,  for  a  long  time  pastor  at  Parmville,  Va.,  and  elsewhere,  and 
now  principal  of  the  Academy  in  Pocomoke  City;  and  Rev.  L.  R.  Mil- 
bourne,  now  pastor  in  Luray,  Va. 

From  the  beginning,  this  Church  has  been  of  the  liberal  sort,  in  pro- 
portion to  their  means,  and  never  more  so  than  now.  They  contribute 
regularly  to  our  missionary  Boards.  During  the  past,  224  persons  have 
been  added  by  baptism  and  a  few  by  letter,  but  i-emovals,  deaths  and 
exclusions  have  left  but  102  members  at  present.  The  only  original 
member  living  is  the  pastor.  Congregations  are  large,  a  prayer  meeting 
is  held  weekly,  and  a  good  Sunday  school  is  maintained.  An  organ 
has  recently  been  purchased  to  aid  the  singing  during  divine  worship. 


Ma  T)  da  11  d  Baptist  History.  153 


1859. 
SALISBURY  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Salisbury  is  an  active  town  of  about  4,000  inhabitants,  in  Wicomico 
county.  In  June,  1859,  Bro.  0.  F.  Flippo,  who  was  then  studying  for 
the  ministry,  was  appointed  by  the  Executive  Board  to  labor  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  this  county,  and  especially  at  Salisbury.  At  that  time,  the 
Presbyterians  of  the  place,  desiring  to  erect  a  new  house  of  worship, 
offered  their  old  one  at  an  extremely  low  price.  Bro.  Flippo  immedi- 
ately arranged  for  its  purchase,  and  it  was  dedicated  as  a  Baptist  church, 
on  July  24.  Two  days  later,  Bro.  Flippo  was  ordained  to  the  ministry. 
He  set  to  work  with  enthusiasm,  earnestly  preaching  a  Baptist  gospel, 
and  was  soon  rejoiced  to  immerse  four  converts.  On  September  30, 
following,  he  organized  a  Church  of  twelve  members,  Rev.  J.  W.  M. 
Williams  assisting,  and  baptizing  two  of  the  constituents.  In  October, 
four  more  were  added  by  baptism.  The  same  mouth  they  licensed  Bro. 
S.  J.  Kerr  to  preach.  In  November,  the  Church  was  admitted  to  the 
Maryland  Union  Association. 

Bro.  Flippo  remained  in  charge  of  this  field  for  about  fifteen  months, 
and  left  it  in  a  healthful  condition,  with  twenty-four  members,  to  take 
charge  of  the  Church  in  Pocomoke  City.  Bro.  Flippo  subsequently 
served  other  Churches  in  Maryland  and  Delaware,  and  is  now  pastor 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Alexandria,  Va. 

A  destructive  fire  consumed  sixty-three  honses  in  Salisbury,  during 
1860,  including  the  Episcopal  church.  The  congregation  worshiping 
there  were  kindly  invited  to  use  the  Baptist  church,  until  they  were 
able  to  build  another. 

Eev.  Wm.  T.  Wilkerson  was  appointed  missionary  at  Salisbury,  in 
December,  1861,  and  preached  there  about  a  year.  During  1862,  it  is 
recorded  that  "the  Sunday  school  was  suspended,  on  account  of  the 
absence  of  the  superintendent."  In  that  year,  Kev.  S.  C.  Boston  visited 
Salisbury  regularly  foi'  six  months,  and  found  the  membership  scat- 
tered, and  the  community  prejudiced.  For  a  number  of  months,  there 
was  no  regular  service  in  the  church.  In  1864,  Eev.  I.  F.  Stidham 
preached  a  few  times.  Rev.  P.  T.  Warren  was  appointed  missionary 
in  that  year  and  served  the  Church  as  pastor  until  October,  1866 ;  but 
the  field  seemed  hard.  Rev.  A.  G.  Harley  preached  there  for  the  two 
succeeding  years,  and  reported  a  slight  increase  of  membership. 

For  three  years,  the  Salisbury  Church  was  apparently  lifeless,  but  in 
1871,  Rev.  K".  C.  Naylor  took  cliarge  for  a  few  months,  and  the  mem- 
bers raised  ^250  to  make  repairs  in  their  building. 


154  Maryland  Baptist  History, 

The  Church  again  languished,  but  in  1874-5,  Rev.  E.  Schaffer  acted 
as  pastor  and  baptized  eighteen  persons.  The  Church  letter  to  the  As- 
sociation says,  "We  do  need  a  pastor  so  much — one  who  can  draio  and 
/fcee/j  a  congregation  ;"  [a  general  want]  '*but  we  are  poor,  and  not  able 
to  get  such  a  pastor." 

Eev.  C.  W.  Teasdale  spent  a  few  months  there  in  1877.  Rev.  George 
Bradford  preached  there  occasionally  in  1878,  and  reported  forty  mem- 
bers. In  1879,  Rev.  J.  W.  Taylor  was  appointed  pastor;  the  Church 
revived,  improved  their  house,  purchased  an  organ,  enlarged  their  Sun- 
day school  work,  and  reported  fifty  members.  Bro.  Taylor  resigned  in 
May,  1880,  to  go  to  another  State. 

Bro.  Franklin  Pierce,  a  student  of  Crozer  Seminary,  served  as  a  mis- 
sionary several  months  of  that  year.  In  1881,  Rev.  G.  Vincent  Board 
labored  at  Salisbury  for  a  time,  but  illness  prevented  him  from  continu- 
ing. No  report  was  made  to  the  Association  for  two  years.  In  Janu- 
ary, 1884,  Rev.  James  M.  Hope  was  called  as  pastor  of  this  Church,  in 
connection  with  Delmar.  About  twenty-five  members  have  been  re- 
gathered,  and  regular  worship  maintained,  with  a  hope  of  improvement. 


i860. 

GERMANTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  missionary  zeal  of  the  Church  at  Rockville,  some  years  ago,  led 
to  the  establishment  of  several  stations,  east  and  west  of  that  place. 
At  Darnestown  and  Poolesville,  special  efforts  were  made,  and  regular 
services  established,  preaching  being  supplied  by  the  pastor  at  Rock- 
ville, and  others.  In  1860,  it  was  thought  advisable  that  both  these 
missions  should  assume  the  responsibility  of  distinct  Church  organiza- 
tion. 

Near  Darnestown,  was  a  meeting  house  free  to  all  denominations,  in 
which  the  Baptists  held  their  services.  Here,  in  the  fall  of  1860,  the 
"Darnestown"  Church  was  organized,  with  Rev,  S.  R.  White,  of  Rock- 
ville, as  pastor.  But  as  the  house  was  much  dilapidated,  and  as  most 
of  the  members  lived  nearer  to  the  neighboring  village  of  Germantown, 
they  decided  to  build  a  new  house  in  the  latter  place.  A  lot  was  pur- 
chased and  a  log  structure  erected,  twenty-five  by  thirty  feet  in  size,^ 
which  was  plastered  inside  and  weather-boarded  outside,  and  painted. 
It  cost  about  $1,500,  which  was  raised  with  very  little  help  from  abroad, 
and  was  dedicated,  in  September,  1864.  The  Church  retained  its  title 
until  1872,  when  it  appeared  more  properly  on  the  Association  Minutes 
as  "Germantown." 


Maryland  Baptist  History,  1 5  5 

Bro.  White  acted  as  pastor  for  five  years,  with  happy  results,  resign- 
ing in  1865.  Eev.  H.  J.  Chandler  succeeded  him  for  about  the  same 
period,  baptizing  about  twenty  persons. 

The  name  of  Mrs.  E.  A.  Hawkins  should  be  honored  for  her  aid  and 
services  to  the  support  of  the  cause  here  for  many  years,  when  it  would 
otherwise  have  failed.  She  served  as  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
School,  and  was  unweariedly  at  work,  until  her  death  in  1871. 

Tn  1874,  Eev.  T.  E.  Woodson  preached  twice  a  month,  and  held  a 
protracted  meeting,  which  resulted  in  twelve  conversions. 

Rev.  W.  0.  Petty,  who  had  been  recently  ordained  by  the  Rockville 
Church,  took  charge  here  in  September,  1875,  and  preached  fortnightly 
for  several  years,  during  his  education  at  Columbian  College.  The 
Church  prospered  fairly,  paid  a  debt,  and  reported  several  conversions. 
Bro.  Petty  went  to  Frostburg  in  1879.  Rev.  H.  E.  Hatcher  supplied 
the  G-ermantown  Church  with  monthly  preaching  for  about  two  years. 
Since  January,  1884,  Rev.  W.  S.  0.  Thomas  has  been  preaching  there 
every  two  weeks,  as  pastor,  in  connection  with  the  Rockville  Church. 
The  membership  numbers  61.  Deacons,  Henry  Williams,  N.  Page  and 
Thos.  Broome.     H.  Williams,  clerk. 


i860. 

POOLESVILLE  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

PooLESViLLE  also  was  a  mission  station  of  Rockville.  It  is  one  of 
the  oldest  towns  of  Montgomery  county,  and  has  several  church  edifices, 
of  different  denominations.  In  May,  1860,  Rev.  S.  R.  White  held  a 
meeting  of  several  days  continuance,  in  the  town  hall,  which  resulted 
in  a  regular  weekly  service,  the  conversion  of  souls,  and  finally  in  the 
organization  of  a  Church,  of  nine  members,  during  November  of  the 
same  year.  It  was  constituted  in  the  presence  of  Revs.  H.  G.  DeWitt, 
M.  H.  Austin  and  S.  R.  White,  the  last  named  being  chosen  pastor, 
and  Rev.  J.  W.  T.  Boothe,  who  was  then  teaching  school  in  the  town? 
assistant  pastor.  The  little  Church  met  successively  in  the  Presbyter- 
ian house,  a  room  in  the  hotel,  and  in  a  school  house.  During  the  fol- 
lowing winter  they  bought  a  lot  and  some  bricks.  In  1864,  the  Church 
was  incorporated,  and  active  efforts  made  to  raise  means  to  build  a 
house  of  worship.  Bro.  Boothe  having  left.  Rev.  S.  C.  Boston  acted  as 
assistant  pastor  for  a  few  months.  At  length,  a  neat  and  comfortable 
brick  building  was  erected,  forty  by  twenty-five  feet  in  depth  and  width,- 
costing  |2,500.  It  was  dedicated.  May  25,  1865,  by  Rev.  Drs.  George 
W.  Samson  and  George  F.  Adams.  Shortly  after,  Bro.  White  resigned 
charge  of  this  body.  During  these  five  years,  about  thirty  persons  had 
been  baptized  and  added  to  its  roll. 


156  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

A  few  months  later,  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  was  chosen  pastor,  and 
took  up  his  residence  with  his  family  in  the  village.  He  remained 
there  about  four  years,  during  which  time  he  baptized  ten  persons. 

After  Bro.  Chandler's  departure,  which  was  in  1870,  to  Cumberland, 
the  Poolesville Church  was  without  a  regular  pastor  for  five  years;  but 
occasional  preaching  was  held  and  a  Sunday  school  maintained,  with 
about  fifty  teachers  and  scholars. 

In  1879,  Eev.  C.  L.  Amy  was  appointed  to  this  Church,  for  a  partial 
service,  and  remained  for  about  two  years,  during  which  he  reported  a 
revival  and  thirty-five  conversions.  The  past  year.  Rev.  M.  H.  Austin 
lias  assumed  pastoral  charge,  and  the  condition  of  the  Church  is  fair. 

They  maintain  a  good  Sunday  school  of  eighty  scholars. 

H.  U.  Miles,  deacon  and  clerk. 


1865. 

FIRST   GERMAN  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

In  1855,  there  were  about  50,000  Germans  in  Baltimore,  which  num- 
ber is  since  largely  increased.  Occupying  the  position  they  do  among 
our  most  useful  citizens,  it  became  an  earnest  question  how  to  reach 
this  rapidly  augmenting  population  with  evangelical  truth.  The  pe- 
culiar difficulty  to  surmount  in  this  work  is,  that  while  many  of  the 
German  people  are  avowed  sceptics  and  rationalists,  a  still  larger  pro- 
portion are  nominal  Christians  trained  in  a  State  religion,  and  knowing 
nothing  of  experimental  personal  faith  in  Christ.  Both  of  these 
classes  repel  the  true  Christian  evangelist,  the  latter  indignantly,  be- 
cause they  already  claim  a  Christian  faith — but,  alas,  denying  the 
power  thereof. 

In  the  Minutes  of  our  Association  for  1855,  we  find  in  the  report  of 
the  Executive  Board,  a  notice  of  the  first  movement  made  by  the  Bap- 
tists to  reach  this  people.  There  were  about  five  Germans  in  the  city 
who  were  members  of  English-speaking  Baptist  Churches.  One  of  these 
was  Bro.  John  L.  Rappold,  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Church,  who  in- 
vited Rev.  K.  A.  Fleishmann,  editor  of  the  '^ Sendhotej"  Philadelphia, 
to  visit  Baltimore  and  examine  its  aspects  as  a  mission  field.  He  came 
here,  preached,  baptized  two  persons,  started  a  prayer  meeting,  and  on 
the  whole  was  favorably  impressed.  His  report  being  brought  before 
the  Board,  they  requested  Bro.  C.  Bobenbender,  a  student  of  Rochester 
University,  to  spend  his  vacation  here  as  colporter  and  preacher  among 


Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy.  157 

the  Germans.  From  this  time,  a  small  company  began  to  meet  regular- 
ly in  prayer  meeting,  led  by  Bro.  Gr.  D.  Menger.  A  small  appropria- 
tion was  made  to  pay  the  rent  of  their  place  of  meeting. 

The  Second  Church  at  this  time  offered  their  old  building  on  Fleet 
street  at  a  low  price  for  a  G-erman  mission,  but  it  was  not  accepted. 

In  .January,  1859,  when  the  German  Baptists  had  increased  to  twelve, 
they  met  in  a  chapel  on  Hill  street,  and  organized  a  Church.  Eev.  J, 
E.  Meuri,  formerly  a  Catholic  priest,  and  a  recent  convert,  was  invited 
to  become  their  pastor.  In  a  short  time,  they  reported  twenty-two 
members  to  the  German  Conference.  In  1860,  there  were  twenty-seven 
additions,  and  the  following  year  their  membership  reached  sixty-two. 
In  1860,  the  Church  joined  onr  Association.  Bro.  Meuri  left  in  1862, 
to  return  to  Germany.  The  Church  had  no  pastor  now  for  three  years 
and  consequently  diminished,  fell  into  dissensions  and  finally  dissolved^ 

In  1865,  the  Board  invited  Rev.  Henry  Schneider,  of  Rochester,  N. 
Y.,  to  locate  here  as  a  missionary.  A  new  Church  was  organized  with 
twenty-six  members,  which  met  first  in  Rechabite  Hall,  Fayette  street, 
and  afterwards  in  Wildey  Hall,  East  Pratt  street,  both  unsuitable  and 
inconvenient  places.  Bro.  Schneider  baptized  three  persons  the  first 
year,  and  preached  indefatigably,  not  only  in  his  hall,  but  to  large  con- 
gregations in  the  Broadway  market  house.  He  also  undertook  the 
building  of  a  church.  A  lot  was  secured  on  the  corner  of  Caroline  and 
Hampstead  streets,  and  a  neat  chapel  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000,  of 
which  $1,500  was  raised  by  subscription,  leaving  a  debt  of  $2,500.  The 
house  Avas  dedicated  April  28,  1867.  In  1868,  the  Church  paid  on  the 
debt  and  for  current  expenses,  nearly  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 

Having  accomplished  a  good  work  here,  which  remains  to  his  honor 
as  a  faithful  apostle,  Bro.  Schneider  resigned,  in  July,  1869,  to  assume 
a  charge  in  New  York.  He  labored  afterwards  in  Philadelphia,  and  is 
now  deceased.  The  Church  had  at  the  time  of  his  resignation  about 
thirty  members,  and  although  bearing  a  heavy  debt,  were  confident 
with  the  hope  of  establishing  themselves   permanently. 

In  1869,  the  Church  called  Rev.  Henry  F.  Miller,  then  a  missionary 
among  the  Germans  of  Parkersburg,  West  Virginia,  and  at  Marietta, 
Ohio,  who  began  his  labors  here  in  November.  Bro.  Miller  entered  in- 
to the  work  with  marked  energy,  preaching,  visiting  and  completing 
means  for  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  of  the  Church.  The  first  year, 
forty-eight  members  were  added.  A  plan  had  been  arranged  for  sys- 
tematic contributions  of  the  members  through  a  building  association, 
by  which  the  entire  debt  was  paid  in  several  years.  The  building  was 
also  repaired.  Bro.  Miller  lost  the  use  of  his  voice  in  1874,  and  was 
compelled  to  cease  public  speaking.     After  medical  treatment,  finding 


158  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

no  prospect  of  a  cure  while  in  the  pulpit,  he  resigned  his  charge,  June 
1,  of  that  year.  This  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  missionary  force  of  the 
denomination,  but  Bro.  Miller  engaged  in  business  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  city,  and  retained  his  membership  in  the  Church,  and  has  been 
its  faithful  supporter  through  all  its  trials  to  the  present  time.  At 
the  date  of  his  resignation,  the  Church  numbered  120  members. 

Rev.  J.  Fellman,  of  Wilmington,  Del.,  was  then  invited  and  became 
pastor  for  two  years,  laboring  faithfully,  but  finding  the  field  difficult, 
as  had  the  other  pastors,  on  account  of  German  prejudices  against  the 
Baptists.  He  resigned  to  goto  Berlin,  Canada.  For  eight  months  of 
1877,  the  Church  had  no  pastor,  during  which  time  the  pulpit  Avas 
filled  by  Bro.  Miller,  when  the  condition  of  his  voice  permitted.  Eev. 
Eobert  Langer,  pastor  of  a  Church  in  Holland,  N.  Y.,  then  accepted  a 
call  to  this  Church.  In  1878  he  was  excluded;  and  again,  for  eleven 
months  the  flock  was  without  a  regular  pastor;  though  Bro.  Miller 
gave  gratuitously,  as  before,  hip  best  services. 

Rev.  E.  J.  Deckman  then  accepted  charge  and  served  for  two  years, 
to  the  edification  of  the  members,  though  but  few  converts  were  made. 
He  resigned,  April,  1881,  to  return  to  a  former  pastorate  in  Pittsburgh. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Kraft,  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  became  pastor  in  May,  1881, 
and  is  still  in  charge.  Feeling  his  responsibility,  he  labors  faithfully, 
and  witli  his  people,  hopes  for  the  time  when  his  countrymen  shall 
more  generally  yield  to  the  simple  truths  of  faith  and  regeneration. 

The  Church  now  numbers  76  members,  less  than  in  some  former 
years,  owing  chiefly  to  emigration  westward,  and  removals  in  the  city ; 
but  it  is  in  a  healthful  condition,  and  is  self-supporting.  The  officers 
are  as  follows  :  Deacons,  H.  P.  Miller,  also  treasurer,  and  John  H.  Ross. 
Clerk,  John  Linsfsch. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  159 

1868. 
MOUNT  HOPE   BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  Church  is  located  near  the  village  of  Doncaster,  in  Charles 
county.  It  ^vas  organized  during  1868,  by  Kev.  C.  Leonard,  then  pas- 
tor of  the  Second  Colored  Baptist  Church  of  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
constituent  members  numbered  about  twenty-five.  Mr.  Leonard  visited 
the  new  body,  until  1869,  when  Eev.  A.  A.  Watts  was  called  as  pastor. 
He  served  for  several  years,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  H.  V.  Plununer, 
of  Bladensburg,  as  a  supply,  until  1881.  Under  Mr.  Plnmmer's  ad- 
ministration, the  Churcli  advanced  greatly,  and  began  to  build  the  new 
meeting  house,  which  has  been  since  completed  and  paid  for,  under  the 
late  pastor. 

Eev.  S.  J.  R.  ISTelson,  who  was  induced  to  take  this  field  in  1881,  by 
advice  of  the  "Committee  on  the  Colored  People,"was  very  successful. 
Many  conversions  were  reported  through  his  labors,  and  he  was  instru- 
mental in  organizing  other  missions,  which  are  now  prosperous.  He 
resigned  in  April,  1885.  The  Mount  Hope  Church  numbers  about  123 
menfbers. 


1869. 
BLADENSBURG  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  historic  village  of  Bladensburg  is  located  a  few  miles  north 
of  Washington  City,  near  the  line  dividing  the  District  of  Columbia 
from  Prince  George's  county,  Maryland.  It  is  almost  unknown  to  the 
traveler,  although  multitudes  pass  it  daily  on  the  railway,  excepting 
by  its  notoriety  as  a  former  place  of  meeting  for  duelists,  and  as  the 
scene  of  an  American  defeat  in  the  war  of  1814.  AVe  have  no  record 
of  any  Baptist  interest  in  this  place  until  1868,  when  several  colored 
people,  who  had  come  there  from  other  parts,  started  a  prayer  meeting, 
and  after  carrying  it  on  for  a  few  months,  invited  Rev.  Chauncey  Leon- 
ard, pastor  of  the  Second  Colored  Baptist  Church  of  Washington,  to 
take  charge  of  them.  A  Church  was  constituted  January  31,  1869,  of 
seven  members,  and  Mr.  Leonard  preached  and  cared  for  them  nearly 
two  years.  Rev.  Augustus  A.  Watts  succeeded  as  pastor  in  1871,  the 
Church  meeting  for  worship  in  a  private  dwelling,  and  increasing  in 
numbers  and  interest  all  the  time,  until  a  pressing  necessity  arose  for 
a  regular  house  of  worship. 


1 60  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

It  happened  that  a  Presbyterian  church  was  for  sale  in  Bladensburg, 
which  was  olTered  to  the  Baptists  at  the  very  low  price  of  $750,  though 
valued  at  |3,000,  including  ground.  The  house  is  brick,  30  by  40  feet. 
The  "Building  Loan  Fund,"  authorized  by  our  Association,  was  in- 
tended for  occasions  like  this,  and  after  a  visit  to  the  field  by  Dr.  Wil- 
son, the  sum  of  §500  was  advanced  on  the  property,  for  the  use  of  the 
colored  Church,  who  took  possession  in  June,  1873. 

The  work  increased,  and  the  cause  prospered.  Bro.  Watts  resigned 
in  1876,  and  was  succeeded,  in  1877,  by  Rev.  H.  V.  Plumnier,  under 
whose  ministrations  the  membersliip  advanced  to  ninety-two.  System 
prevailed  and  in  all  respects  there  was  growth  and  improvement. 

Rev.  W.  M.  Alexander  took  charge  of  this  Church  in  1880,  after  the 
resignation  of  Bro.  Plummer.  The  body  continued  to  improve,  and 
established  a  mission  at  "Sitka,"  several  miles  distant,  building  a 
chapel  there  at  a  cost  of  $350.  In  1882,  that  mission  gave  $60  toward 
the  pastor's  salary.  Bro.  Alexander  resigned  in  1882  to  become  Col- 
porter  for  our  Board  and  for  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society* 

Rev.  F.  Gr.  Hall  became  pastor  in  1883.  In  that  year,  the  Church 
purchased  a  burying  ground.  In  1884,  they  repaired  their  house,  at  a 
cost  of  $300.  They  have  also  repaid  their  debt  to  the  Building  Loan 
Fund.     The  membership  numbers  117. 


187I. 

FOREST  HALL  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Forest  Hall  Church  was  organized  in  1871,  in  a  barn,  on  the  plan- 
tation of  a  gentleman,  near  Mechanicsville,  St.  Mary's  county,  by  Bro» 
Wm.  P.  Thompson,   then  pastor  of  Union  Church,  Baltimore. 

It  began  with  nine  members.  The  Board  sent  Rev.  John  Kelly  to 
work  up  the  field,  and  he  remained  about  six  years. 

They  built  a  neat  meeting  house,  in  1874,  costing  $600. 

Rev.  Lewis  Hicks  was  then  called  to  the  Church,  but  lived  only  a 
short  time.  His  last  public  act  was  a  baptism.  He  died  at  Mechan- 
icsville, and  is  buried  in  the  rear  of  the  meeting  house. 

Rev.  C.  H.  Newman,  a  graduate  of  Wayland  Seminary,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Tremont  Temple  Church,  Boston,  where  he  was  baptized,  took 
charge  of  this  interest  in  1881,  where  he  has  labored  faithfully  and 
improved  the  prospects.     Membership  now  fifty. 


EUTA.W  PLACE  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  BALTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  HistoTy.  163 

1871. 
EUTAW  PLACE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

The  Seventh  Baptist  Church,  having  increased  to  over  a  thousand 
members  in  1867,  felt  the  duty  of  enlarging  the  borders  of  Zion,  and 
"colonizing"  in  the  north-westernpart  of  the  city.  As  the  outgrowth 
of  this  feeling,  Mr.  Hiram  Woods  made  a  written  coni'iiunicatiou  to 
this  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  offering  to  donate  a  lot 
on  the  corner  of  Eutaw  and  Dolphin  streets,  valued  at  $20,000,  and  a 
further  gift  of  $5,000  in  money,  on  condition  that  $40,000  should  be 
contributed  promptly  by  others,  towards  erecting  on  the  site  a  suitable 
church  edifice.  This  may  be  regarded  as  the  initiative  movement  in 
the  building  of  the  Eutaw  Place  Baptist  Church. 

In  December  of  the  above  year,  the  Church  appointed  a  committee  to 
collect  subscriptions.  The  committee  individually  subscribed  $9,000; 
the  ladies'  sewing  society  pledged  $1,000  ;  and  in  a  few  weeks,  addi- 
tional sums  were  promised,  making  a  total  of  $33,000.  Dr.  Fuller 
wrote  a  circular,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Church,  and  addressed  to 
all  sister  Churches  asking  their  cooperation  in  the  enterprise. 

Although  the  subscriptions  had  not  yet  reached  the  amount  specified 
as  necessary  to  secure  the  lot,  the  Church  now  appointed  two  commit- 
tees to  proceed  with  the  work  ;  one  on  Building,  consisting  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Fuller,  Hiram  Woods,  E.  Levering,  sen.,  A.  A.  Chapman,  H.  S.  Shryock, 
T.  M.  Johnson  and  Wm.  H.  Perkins ;  and  one  on  Finance,  comprising 
H.  S.  Shryock,  A.  J.  Lowndes,  W.  T.  Foster,  E.  Levering,  jr.,  C.  Fer- 
guson, D.  C  Stevens,  John  Cassard,  Joshua  Levering,  C.  A.  Keyser, 
A.  F.  Crane,  Geo.  W.  Norris,  Edward  T.  Norris  and  G.  W.  Sanders. 

Tlie  building  committee  visited  several  cities  and  examined  various 
church  edifices.  They  fixed  upon  one  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  as  in  the 
main  most  desirable  as  a  model  for  their  purpose.  The  distinguished 
Architect,  Mr.  Thomas  L^.  Walter,  of  Philadelphia,  a  Baptist  and  per- 
sonal friend  of  Dr.  Fuller,  generously  offered  to  make  all  the  necessary 
drawings.  These  were  prepared  by  the  middle  of  the  summer  of  1868, 
and  accepted  by  the  committee,  with  a  cordial  resolution  of  thanks. 

The  subscriptions,  however,  were  as  yet  inadequate  to  the  terms  of* 
Mr.  Woods'  proposition.     After  much    time  spent  in  deliberation  and 
in  prayer,  it  was   suggested  that  several    members  of  the    committee 


1 64  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

above  named  would  give  their  individual  pledge  that  the  remaining 
amount  required  to  make  the  subscription  reach  $40,000  should  be 
forthcoming,  when  needed  for  the  work.  Mr.  Woods  accepted  this 
arrangement  and  gave  a  deed  for  the  lot.  Mr.  Jas.  A.  McComas  was 
entrusted  with  the  erection  of  the  building,  according  to  Mr.  Walter's 
specifications;  the  ground  was  broken  by  two  ladies  of  the  Church,  and 
the  work  began.  On  April  22,  1869,  the  walls  were  so  far  advanced 
that  the  corner  stone  was  laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  A  large 
multitude  was  assembled,  a  choir  of  Sunday  school  voices,  led  by  the 
late  A.  Fuller  Crane,  sang  several  hymns,  and  Dr.  Fuller  delivered  an 
address.  Kev.  Drs.  F.Wilson  and  J.  AV.  M.  Williams,  and  Eev.  R.  B. 
Kelsay  aided  in  the  services. 

The  work  progressed,  though  from  time  to  time  the  building  com- 
mittee were  seriously  pressed  for  funds.  Many  of  them  increased  their 
own  subscriptions,  already  large,  and  Mr.  Woods  paid  the  $5,000  which 
had  been  made  contingent  upon  their  liberality.  But  as  the  structure 
advanced,  more  money  was  needed.  A  mass  meeting  of  the  Churches 
was  held  in  February,  1870,  and  $30,000  raised.  Of  this  sum,  Eugene 
Levering,  sen.,  Daniel  Chase  and  Samuel  Bevan  gave  $5,000  each.  Mr. 
Levering  died  June  19,  1870,  before  the  completion  of  the  enterprise 
of  which  he  had  been  so  large  and  earnest  a  promoter. 

The  building  was  completed,  and  dedicated  on  April  2,  1871.  Dr. 
Fuller  preached  the  sermon,  from  Hebrews  i :  8,  "But  unto  the  Son  He 
saith*,  Thy  throne,  0  Clod,  is  forever  and  ever."  Rev.  Dr.  H.  C.  Fish^ 
of  Newark,  X.  J.,  assisted  in  the  services. 

The  church  is  among  the  finest  specimens  of  Baltimore  architecture. 
It  is  of  white  marble,  sixty-five  feet  wide,  one  hundred  and  six  feet  in 
length,  with  a  symmetrical  tower  and  spire  one  hundred  and  ninety  feet 
high.  The  building  contains  all  modern  conveniences,  including  a 
spacious  lecture  room,  pastor's  study,  &c.  The  cost  when  finished  was 
about  $102,000,  including  furniture  and  a  fine  organ,  of  which  amount 
$33,000  remained  unprovided  for  at  that  date.  A  meeting  was  then 
called,  and  $15,000  more  were  contributed,  chiefl;y  by  the  same  generous 
brethren  who  had  been  giving  all  the  time ;  and  one-fourth  of  the  sum 
being  the  gift  of  three  ladies.  Other  contributions  reduced  the  debt  ta 
$15,000,  wliich  has  since  been  nearly  liquidated,  by  the  systematic 
contributions  of  the  members  of  the  Church.  The  communion  service, 
the  pulpit  furniture,  and  the  stained  glass  window  in  front,  were  all 
donated  by  ladies. 

We  have  given  space  to  a  narrative  of  the  pecuniary  efibrt  in  this 
enterprise,  because  it  opened  a  new  period  of  Baptist  progress.  The 
denominatidn  here  now  assumed  a  braver  front,  enlarged  its  aims,  and 
became  more  liberal  in  contributions  of  money  for  God's  work. 


Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy.  1 65 

As  has  been  stated  in  the  history  of  the  Seventh  Church,  on  February 
17,  1871,  one  hundred  and  thirty  members  of  that  body  withdrew  by 
•letter,  and  on  the  20th,  assembled  in  the  lecture  room,  to  organize  a  new 
Church.  According  to  their  record,  one  hundred  and  thirty-^^ree  per- 
sons adopted  a  covenant  and  confession  of  faith,  and  assumed  the  title 
^'Eutaw  Place  Baptist  Church,"  and  invited  Rev.  Dr.  Richard  Fuller 
to  become  their  pastor.  They  also  elected  the  following  brethren  to 
be  deacons:  A.  A.  Chapman,  Hiram  Woods,  A,  F.  Crane,  T.  M.  Johnson, 
E.  T.  Norris,  W.  Martien,  and  Eugene  Levering,  jr.  The  public  recog- 
nition of  the  Church  took  place  in  the  new  building,  on  the  afternoon 
of  April  2.  Within  a  short  time,  about  fifty  more  members  of  the 
Seventh  Church  came  into  the  new  Church  by  letter,  making  about 
■one  hundred  and  eighty-five  in  all. 

Dr.  Fuller,  though  warmly  attached  to  the  old  Church,  felt  that  his 
duty  lay  with  the  new  body,  and  accepted  their  call.  With  enthusiasm 
and  zeal,  both  pastor  and  people  now  labored  to  make  their  new  house 
as  redolent  of  God's  glory  as  was  the  other,  and  divine  favor  rewarded 
them.  Twelve  converts  were  baptized  during  the  months  following, 
and  in  November,  when  the  Church  was  received  into  the  Association, 
her  membership  had  increased  to  two  hundred  and  thirty.  And,  not- 
withstanding the  large  drafts  upon  their  resources  by  recent  expenses, 
they  reported  $2,453  for  foreign  missions,  $6,239  for  home  missions, 
and  $1,528  on  the  reduction  of  their  debt. 

As  an  item  of  interest,  we  may  state  here,  that  at  the  first  business 
meeting  in  the  new  building,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  solicit  con- 
tributions from  the  owners  of  adjacent  property,  on  the  plea  that  this 
beautiful  structure  had  greatly  improved  and  increased  the  value  of  all 
the  neighborhood.  But  it  was  a  bootless  visit.  Dr.  Adams  says,  "How- 
ever willing  men  may  be  to  profit  by  the  liberality  and  energy  of  others, 
they  are  seldom  willing  to  pay  for  the  advantages  after  they  are  con- 
ferred. If  the  committee  had  called  on  those  men  before  building,  and 
expatiated  on  the  prospective  advantages,  subscriptions  might  have 
been  obtained  from  them." 

Shortly  after,  the  Church  by  vote  decided  not  to  have  a  choir,  and 
adopted,  and  still  conthiue,  congregational  singing. 

The  young  men  of  the  Church  organized  a  City  Mission  Society,  in 
1871,  which  became  a  power  for  good.  They  opened  a  mission  school 
on  Patterson  Avenue,  and  subsequently,  one  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
city,  both  of  which  developed  into  Churches. 

A  Sunday  school  was  immediately  organized,  which  has  kept  pace 
with  the  spirit  of  the  Church,  and  been  a  great  element  of  her  strength. 
Brethren  Hiram  Woods  and  Joshua  Levering  have  been,  successively, 
the  superintendents. 


1 66  Maryland  Baptist  Histoiy. 

The  second  year's  report  showed  an  increase  of  seventy-one  members 
and  a  total  contribution  of  |7,138.42.  The  two  years  following  brought 
np  the  total  membership  to  449,  and  largely  increased  the  contributions. 

In  1874,  a  young  student  for  the  ministry  of  the  Episcopal  ChurcliJ 
Mr.  ]\Iiles  S.  Read,  on  profession  of  faith,  was  baptized  by  Dr.  Fuller- 
Soon  after,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  and  placed  in  charge  of  amission' 
Avhich  had  been  for  some  years  under  the  watch-care  of  the  High  Street 
Church.  The  mission  became  so  prosperous  under  Bro.  Read's  labors, 
that  in  June,  1874,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  organize  a  Church* 
Accordingly  the  "Shiloh  Baptist  Church"  was  constituted  with  thirty- 
six  members,  and  Bro.  Read  was  ordained  as  their  pastor.  This  body 
is  now  known  as  "Grace  Church." 

Miss  Jane  Norris,  one  of  the  most  efficient  members  of  the  Church,  was 
in  1874,  married  to  Rev.  R.  H.  Graves,  missionary  to  China,  then  on 
a  visit  here.  Mrs.  Graves  shortly  after  sailed  to  the  mission  field  with 
her  husband,  and  has  aided  him  greatly  in  his  arduous  work.  In  1882 
they  paid  a  visit  to  their  old  home,  and  increased  our  interest  in  the 
Chinese  people.  In  1875,  Dr.  Fuller  had  a  serious  spell  of  illness  for 
about  two  months,  but  happily  recovered,  and  resumed  preaching,  with 
additional  fervor  and  consecration. 

In  1875,  after  a  thorough  discussion  of  the  subject  and  special  prayer 
for  guidance,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

•'Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great  spread  of  intemperance  at  the 
present  time,  we  believe  that  the  making  or  selling  of  strong  alcoholic 
liquors  for  ordinary  use  as  a  beverage  is  clearly  inconsistent  with  and 
repugnant  to  the  law  of  Christian  love,  which  worketh  no  ill  to  our 
neighbor. 

"Resolved,  That  no  person  engaged  in  the  manufacture  or  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors  shall  be  eligible  for,  or  admitted  into  the  member- 
ship of  this  Church." 

Prosperity  and  progress  attended  the  Church,  with  frequent  acces- 
sions and  a  growing  missionarv  spirit.  In  1876,  the  pastor  took  his 
customary  vacation  during  the  summer,  and  returned  in  September^ 
with  an  appearance  of  renewed  health. 

On  September  10,  Dr.  Fuller  preached*  in  his  pulpit  from  I  Chron» 
xxix  ;  15.  A  hearer  remarked,  "Our  pastor  had  some  heavenly  touches 
this  morning;  he  is  far  ahead  of  us,  and  is  evidently  ripening  for  the 
Kingdom."  He  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  from  the 
words,  "What  I  do,  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  here- 
after." (John  xiii :  7.)  The  sermon  was  "aglow  with  pathos  and  tender 
expression."  The  week  succeeding,  he  felt  the  inroads  of  a  malady  that 
hastened  his  end.     For  several  days   he  experienced  great  pain  in  his- 

*The  account  is  taken  from  a  pamphlet  published  at  the  time. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 67 

left  shoulder.  Though  suffering  severely,  on  the  morning  of  September 
17,  he  preached,  from  the  text,  "We  walk  by  faith  and  not  by  sight." 
(II  Cor.  v:  7.)  This  was  his  last  sermon.  At  its  close,  he  informed 
the  Church  of  his  condition,  and  returned  home,  to  endure  an  intense 
affliction,  that  developed  itself  in  a  large,  fiery  and  malignant  carbuncle 
on  his  shoulder. 

Doctors  James  A.  Steuart  and  Alan  P.  Smith  and  Prof.  Nathan  R. 
Smith  gave  their  skillful  attention  to  his  case,  but  without  much  hope, 
as  his  system  seemed  too  deeply  affected.  A  surgical  operation  led  to 
temporary  relief,  but  his  strength  gradually  declined.  On  October  8, 
another  operation  was  performed  upon  the  ulcer,  now  spreading  fright- 
fully, but  all  was  of  no  avail.  The  patient  sunk  prostrate,  and  the  an- 
swer to  countless  anxious  enquirers  was,  "He  is  slowly  dying."  He 
died  on  the  20th  of  October,  1876,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Dr.  Fuller  was  impressed  that  this  was  his  last  sickness.  But  there 
was  nothing  in  the  future  that  terrified  him.  His  great  desire  was  to 
depart  and  be  with  Christ.  His  hope  was  bright ;  his  peace  was  perfect ; 
his  faith  illustrious. 

The  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  Eutaw  Place  Baptist  Church. 
The  Sunday  school  repaired  to  the  residence  of  the  deceased,  to  view 
his  body,  where  they  were  met  by  the  Sunday  school  of  the  Seventh 
Chnrch.  Visitors  comprising  all  classes  of  citizens  and  all  denomina- 
tions, flocked  to  pay  the  mournful  visit.  Rarely  have  any  clergyman's 
obsequies  attracted  such  large  crowds  of  sympathizing  friends,  and 
many  incidents  occurred  around  the  corpse  that  evinced  the  affection 
and  gra'teful  remembrance  of  those  who  had  been  led  to  Christ  through 
his  teachings  and  ministrations.  Their  emotions  were  betrayed  in 
tears  and  sobs  as  well  as  utterances.  Old  and  young,  male  and  female? 
white  and  colored,  alike  testified  their  regard  and  gave  vent  to  their 
sorrow.  The  features  of  the  deceased  looked  very  natural,  taking  into 
consideration  the  exhausting  nature  of  his  disease.  They  were  some- 
what attenuated,  but  there  was  the  massive  brow  and  the  noble  outline 
of  a  visage  that  when  alive  was  kingly  in  appearance.  The  coffin  was 
adorned  with  tributes  of  flowers.  Rev.  Dr.  C.  C.  Bitting,  of  Franklin 
Square  Church,  uttered  a  suitable  prayer  whilst  at  the  dwelling,  and 
then  the  body  was  conveyed  to  the  church.  The  deacons  of  the  Eutaw 
Place  and  Seventh  Churches  acted  as  pall-bearers. 

A  great  concourse  of  people  had  assembled  within  and  around  the 
edifice.  Rev.  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Backus,  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  Rev.  Dr.  Brantly,  of  the  Seventh  Church,  Rev.  Dr.  J. 
W.  M.  Williams,  of  the  First  Church,  and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Poisal,  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  took  part  in  the  funeral  services.  The  hymn,  be- 
ginning "Jesus,  Saviour,  pilot  me,"  was  sung,  it  having  been  sung  for 


1 68  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Dr.  Fuller  at  his  request  the  night  before  he  died.  Dr.  Brantly  deliv- 
ered an  admirable  and  faithful  portraiture  of  the  character  of  the 
deceased,  and  Dr.  Williams  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  his  memory. 

The  body  was  then  carried  to  Greenmount  Cemetery,  and  deposited 
in  the  earth.  Gently  and  slowly  it  was  lowered  to  its  resting  place, 
reminding  one  of  the  deliberation  and  gentleness  with  which  it  was 
always  his  care  to  bury  in  baptism  the  living  body  of  the  believer  in 
Jesus.  At  the  same  moment,  voices  tremulous  with  emotion  sang  the 
hymn  beginning, 

"Asleep  in  Jesus  ! — blessed  sleep ! 

From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep !" 

Eev.  Dr.  Elliott,  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  Kev.  Dr.  Jas.  H.  Outh- 
bert,  of  Washington, both  relatives,  closed  the  services.  Subsequently, 
a  monument  was  placed  over  the  grave,  and  a, tablet  erected  in  the 
church  to  commemorate  his  services. 

A  notice  of  Dr.  Fuller's  career  is  necessary  at  this  point.  He  was 
born  in  Beaufort,  S.  C,  in  April,  1805.  His  parents  were  worthy  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church  in  that  town.  His  early  studies  were  pur- 
sued under  the  direction  of  Eev.  Dr.  W.  T.  Brantly,  senior,  (father  of 
Dr.  W.  T.  Brantly,  of  the  Seventh  Church,)  who  was  the  pastor  there, 
and  president  of  Beaufort  College.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  College. 
The  first  serious  religious  impressions  he  had  were  during  an  alarming 
illness,  in  the  year  1823.  He  said,  afterwards,  "My  mind  now  awoke 
out  of  her  dark  oblivious  sleep  for  the  first  time;  and  I  began  to  think 
of  eternity.  In  this  concern  I  was  not  alone;  Dr.  Brantly  heard  of  my 
sickness,  and  wrote  me  a  letter,  which  reached  my  very  soul  with  its 
earnest  and  pathetic  counsels  and  prayers." 

In  1829,  young  Fuller  united  with  the  Episcopal  Church.  Satisfied 
at  that  time  that  immersion  was  the  only  real  baptism,  he  insisted  on 
this  administration  of  the  ordinance.  In  1832,  when  a  powerful  revi- 
val was  in  progress  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  Daniel  Baker,  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  he  was  present  at  a  meeting  held  one  afternoon  in 
the  Baptist  chnrcli,  and  there,  for  the  first  time,  was  truly  converted  to 
God,  He  was  rebaptized  and  joined  the  Baptist  Church.  At  that  time 
he  was  a  lawyer,  married,  and  popular,  with  a  lucrative  practice;  but 
he  relinquished  his  business,  and  at  an  early  day  studied  for  the  min- 
istry. In  1833,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Beaufort  Church,  where  he  re- 
mained fourteen  years.  Meanwhile,  he  acquired  a  great  reputation  as 
an  able  preacher  and  writer.  He  held  controversies  through  the  press 
with  Bishop  England  and  Eev.  Dr.  Francis  Wayland,  (with  the  latter 
on  Slavery,)  which  excited  much  favorable  attention.  In  1847,  he  re- 
moved to  Baltimore  and  took  charge  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  Church, 
which  he  held  for  twenty-four  years.     During  this  time  he  published 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  169 

a  popular  work  on  "Baptism  and  the  Terms  of  Communion,"  and  a  vol- 
ume of  sermons.  Later,  he  was  a  frequent  writer  for  the  "Eeligious 
Herald,"  of  Eichmond,  Va.     The  rest  of  his  history  has  been  given.* 

For  a  year  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Fuller,  the  Eutaw  Place  Church 
was  without  a  pastor.  It  prospered,  however,  and  carried  forward  all 
its  work  with  great  activity.  In  November,  1877,  Rev.  F.  H.  Kerfoot, 
of  Midway,  Ky.,  succeeded  to  the  pastorate.  The  death  of  Dr.  Fuller 
was  a  crisis,  not  only  to  the  Church  of  which  he  was  pastor,  but  to  the 
denomination  in  the  city  and  State;  and  to  take  the  place  he  had  filled 
was  no  ordinary  trial.  Bro.  Kerfoot  came  to  the  Cliurch  a  very  young 
man  and  with  but  few  years  of  ministerial  experience.  His  pastorate 
lasted  over  five  years ,  and  now  that  ample  time  has  passed  since  its 
close,  to  review  its  results  and  pass  judgment  thereon,  these  results  and 
the  present  state  of  the  Church  show  clearly,  that  his  ministry  here  was 
a  most  excellent  success.  Gifted  with  much  iiitellectual  and  mora] 
poAverand  energy,  an  untiring  industry,  a  character  generous  and  mag- 
nanimous, he  gave  himself,  with  consecrated  purpose,  to  the  whole  work, 
of  the  Church,  its  spiritual  growth  and  its  thorough  organization  for 
service.  The  members  heartily  responded  to  his  zeal  and  devotion, 
and  the  whole  Church  (more  especially  in  the  Young  Men's  Mission 
and  the  Female  societies)  was  animated  and  stirred  with  freshened  life 
and  activity:  so  that,  after  his  resignation,  during  the  twenty-three 
months  the  pastorate  was  vacant,  the  power  and  efficiency  of  the  Church 
were  well-maintained.  During  his  term,  174  persons  were  baptized; 
the  Fuller  Memorial  chapel  was  built,  and  the  Immanuel  Church  con- 
stituted, mainly,  through  the  eflbrts  of  Eutaw  Place  Church.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1883,  Dr.  Kerfoot  accepted  an  urgent  call  to  the  Strong  Place 
Baptist  Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

During  the  second  vacancy,  the  pulpit  was  filled  regularly  by  able 
ministers,  among  whom  the  most  frequent  was  Rev.  J.  M.  Stifler,  D.  D., 
of  Crozer  Seminary.  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon,  of  Immanuel  Church,  had 
charge  of  the  Wednesday  night  lecture  and  prayer  meeting,  visited  the 
sick,  and  had  general  oversight  and  care  of  the  whole  spiritual  work 
of  the  Church.  His  labors  were  highly  esteemed  by  the  Church,  and 
greatly  beneficial  to  it;  and  the  members  warmly  appreciated  the  kind- 
ness of  Immanuel  Church  in  assenting  to  such  an  arrangement.  In 
this  period,  more  than  twenty  persons  were  baptized. 

On  December  3,  1884,  Rev.  Frank  M.  Ellis,  D.  D.,  of  Tremont  Tem- 
ple Church,  Boston,  Mass..  entered  upon  the  pastorate  of  this  Church, 
having  accepted  a  unanimous  call  three  months  previous.     Dr.  Ellis' 


*A  Life  of  Dr.  Fuller,  by  his  nephew,  Rev.  James  H.  Cuthbert,  D.  D.,  was  pub- 
lished by  Sheldon  &  Co.,  New  York,  1879.  The  Sermons  of  Dr.  Fuller,  in  three 
volumes,  were  issued  by  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  Baltimore,  in  1877. 


I  "JO  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

reputation  as  a  faithful  minister  of  God's  word  ensured  him  a  hearty 
reception  here  from  the  entire  Association. 

The  Eutaw  Place  Church  has  reached  forward  to  a  still  greater  degree 

■of  Christian  activity.     During  1885,  Oratorio  Hall  and  Ford's  Opera 

House  were  secured  on  Sunday  afternoons,  for  religious  effort  among  a 

large   population  who  never  attend  churches.     Dr.  Ellis  has  preached 

in  these  places  to  large  audiences. 

Besides  Kev.  M.  S.  Eead,  heretofore  named,  the  Church  has  licensed 
Bro.  Thos.  L.  Eigelberner  to  preach.  Bretliren  Frank  C.  Woods  and 
Chas.  G.  Merryman  are  studying  for  the  ministry. 

The  ladies  have  from  the  beginning  cooperated  in  all  the  benevolent 
enterprises  of  the  Church,  having  a  Society,  with  various  committees 
covering  a  wide  field  of  mission  effort  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  total  amount  of  money  raised  in  this  Church  for  expenses  and 
benevolent  purposes,  for  five  years  past,  has  averaged  $15,000  a  year. 

The  present  deacons  of  this  Church  are  Allen  A.  ChapmUiU,  Hiram 
Woods,  E.  T.  ISTorris.  E.  Levering,  Chas.  A.  Keyser,  James  A.  Gould 
and  AYm.  Henry  Bayne. 

The  first  treasurer,  H.  S.  Shryock,  served  until  his  decease  in  1883, 
when  D.  Chase  Chapman  was  elected. 

Charles  A.  Keyser,  Andrew  J.  Lowndes,  Chas.  T.  Crane,  C.  Powell 
■Grady  and  Wilmer  L.  Keller  have  successively  served  as  Clerk. 

The  Church  has  now  540  members. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 7 1 

1871. 
ENGLISH  BAPTIST   CHURCH, 
FROST  BURG. 

Frostburg  is  a  thriving  town  of  5,000  inhabitants,  located  in  Alle- 
gheny county,  Md.,  in  the  midst  of  a  mountain  region,  famous  for  its 
coal,  and  only  a  short  distance  from  the  Eckhart  Mines,  referred  to  on 
another  page.  There  had  been  for  some  years  a  Welsh  Baptist  Church 
in  this  place.  In  1872,  a  few  English-speaking  members,  who  could 
not  understand  the  Welsh  language,  and  who  had  joined  this  Church 
simply  because  there  was  no  other  Baptist  Church  there,  requested  the 
pastor,  Rev.  L.  Llewellyn,  to  preach  alternately  in  the  English  tongue. 
He  was  willing  to  do  this,  but  the  Welsh  members  declined  to  agree  to 
the  arrangement.  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler,  our  missionary  in  Cumberland, 
yisited  the  Church  to  advise  the  plan,  but  unsuccessfully.  It  was  then 
concluded  by  all  that  it  would  be  advisable  to  organize  a  new  Church 
for  the  English-speaking  Baptists.  Bro.  Llewellyn  and  about  thirty 
members  then  withdrew  by  letter,  in  April,  1871,  and  assembled  infor- 
mally for  about  three  months  in  the  Southern  Methodist  church,  which 
was  kindly  granted  them  for  one  preaching  service  each  Sunday. 

On  July  7,  these  brethren  and  sisters  were  regularly  constituted  as 
the  English  Baptist  Church  of  Frostburg,  with  Rev.  L.  Llewellyn  as 
pastor.  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  and  Rev.  Jam5s  Nelson  officiated.  The 
constituent  membership  numbered  thirty-one.  During  this  time,  they 
had  labored  with  ardor  for  the  building  of  a  meeting  house.  A  lot 
"vvas  secured,  money  was  collected,  chiefly  through  Bro.  Llewellyn's  ex- 
ertions, and  by  October  20,  a  neat  church  edifice  was  ready  for  occupa- 
tion. Rev.  Dr.  Williams,  of  Baltimore,  and  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  per- 
formed the  dedicatory  services.  About  $350  in  cash  was  raised  on  that 
day  toward  the  cost  of  the  house,  and  $2,000  had  been  raised  previously. 
The  total  expense  however,  was  $3,500,  which  left  a  debt  upon  them  for 
several  years.  Bro.  Llewellyn  remained  pastor  here  until  January,  1874, 
when  he  removed  to  Virginia. 

Rev.  J.  T.  Bradford  was  sent  to  this  Church  in  April,  1874,  and  re- 
ported that  he  found  it  discordant,  so  much  so  that  "it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  dissolve,  and  organize  anew."  He  held  special  services  in 
this  and  the  succeeding  years  of  his  stay  there,  during  which  he  bap- 
tized over  sixty  persons.  The  "hard  times,"  however,  then  prevailing 
among  the  mining  population,  retarded  the  prosperity  of  the  Church, 
and  the  pastor  being  insufficiently  supported,  he  resigned,  Dec,  1876 


172  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

The  Church  hud  no  pastor  in  1877.  The  following  year,  Rev.  H.  J. 
Chandler,  of  Cumberland,  preached  there  statedly.  The  Church  had 
some  degree  of  prosperity,  and  paid  $500  on  their  debt.  In  1879,  Rev. 
W.  0.  Petty  took  charge  and  rallied  the  membership  somewhat.  The 
meeting  house  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $250.  Several  conversions  oc- 
curred. Eighty  members  were  reported  in  1880.  In  1883,  a  "strike" 
among  the  miners  resulted  in  much  distress.  In  September,  1883,  Bro. 
Petty's  health  failed,  and  he  resigned,  and  removed  to  Louisville,  Ky. 

Prospects  were  gloomy,  but  the  Church  earnestly  sought  a  pastor,  in 
the  hope  of  better  times.  A  committee  found  one  at  the  Association 
meeting  in  November,  in  the  person  of  Bro.  Edward  C.  Allard,a  licen- 
tiate of  Grace  Church.  The  Executive  Board  agreed  to  aid  in  his  sup- 
port; and  he  was  ordained,  and  entered  immediately  wpon  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Frostburg  Church.  Thus  far,  the  Holy  Spirit  has  blessed  his 
labors,  and  the  Church  has  increased  in  zeal  and  good  works.  Bro. 
Allard  is  an  earnest  preacher  and  indefatigable  in  the  personal  duties 
of  his  office  outside  of  the  puipit.  He  has  baptized  thirty  converts,  up 
to  this  writing.  The  Church  has  become  more  systematic  in  contribu- 
tions, raised  a  larger  amount  for  expenses,  and  improved  its  house  of 
worship.  The  future  is  more  hopeful  than  ever,  though  prosperity  in 
a  mining  region  is  never  to  be  counted  upon  as  permanent,  owing  to 
the  uncertainty  of  employment  and  the  removal  of  workmen. 

The  deacons  are  John  W.  Lewis,  John  Myers,  John  W.  Yates,  John 
J.  Yates,  John  B.  Reese,  James  Williams.     Clerk.  Wm.  Dando. 

Present  membership,  eighty-five.  Sunday  school  numbers  about  a 
hundred  scholars. 


1872. 

MT.  ELLEN   BAPTIST  CHURCH,  SALISBURY. 

This  Church  was  organized  in  1872,  in  Salisbury,  Wicomico.county, 
by  Rev.  George  Braxton,  a  student  of  Wayland  Seminary,  with  seven 
members.  It  was  entitled  "Mt.  Ellen"  in  compliment  to  an  aged  sister, 
named  Ellen  Johnson.  Mr.  Braxton  remained  with  the  Church  until 
1874,  when  he  left,  to  accept  a  charge  in  Virginia.  Rev.  W.  A.  Smithy 
also  a  student  of  Wayland,  took  charge  shortly  after,  and  has  remained 
pastor  ever  since.  By  the  aid  of  Rev.  Dr.  Minor,  of  New  Britain,  Ct.> 
and  other  friends,  the  Church  has  built  a  neat  house  of  worship,  cost- 
ing $1,800.     The  membership  now  numbers  sixty. 


Mary lafid  Baptist  History.  173 


1872. 
LONGWOOD  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

This  Church  is  located  in  a  settlement  of  the  same  name,  in  Talbot 
county,  six  miles  north  of  Easton.  Its  establishment  suggests  a  lesson 
as  to  the  duty  of  Baptists  to  maintain  their  principles  without  compro- 
mise, even  when  in  the  midst  of  a  pedobaptist  community,  and  distant 
from  a  Church  of  their  own  faith.  Though  standing  alone,  they  should 
hold  up  the  standard  of  Scriptural  doctrine,  and  invite  others  to  rally 
around  it.  And  wherever  this  is  done,  other  Baptists  should  recognize 
the  act,  and  give  every  assistance  in  their  power,  by  their  prayers,  their 
visits  and  cooperation. 

In  the  spring  of  1867,  Bro.  R.  L.  W.  Probasco  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily from  New  Jersey  to  Longwood.  He  and  his  wife  and  her  mother 
were  Baptists,  but  found  here  no  Church  with  which  to  commune, and 
in  fact,  Baptist  principles  were  scarcely  known  among  the  people. 

Being  willing  to  work  for  the  Master  as  well  as  circumstances  allowed, 
they  cooperated  in  Sunday  school  work  with  other  denominations,  first 
with  the  Methodists  and  then  with  the  Episcopalians.  These  would 
have  welcomed  the  family  to  Church  relations,  and  it  would  have 
been  easy  thus  to  strike  their  colors.  But  conscience  and  loyalty  to 
the  truth  did  not  permit  them  to  disavow  their  distinctive  principles 
and  they  remained  known  as  decided,  unwavering  Baptists. 

At  length,  Bro.  Probasco  determined  to  make  an  effort  to  secure 
Baptist  preaching  for  the  neighborhood.  After  several  disappointments 
with  other  ministers.  Rev.  0.  F.  Flippo  was  the  first  to  go  to  his  assist- 
ance. Preaching  in  the  Methodist  chapel  at  Longwood  in  the  morning, 
and  in  a  hall  in  Easton,  in  the  afternoon,  he  was  enabled  to  make  a 
very  favorable  impression  on  large  congregations,  by  his  plain,  full  and 
fearless  presentation  of  gospel  truth. 

Bro.  Probasco  and  wife,  and  Mrs.  Challis,  her  mother,  (who  was  the 
widow  of  a  Baptist  minister,)  now  decided  to  start  a  Sunday  school. 
They  rented  the  little  Methodist  chapel,  supplied  books,  and  carried  a 
melodeon  there  every  Sunday  morning,  a  distance  of  two-and-a-half 
miles  from  their  residence.  They  obtained  a  fair  attendance  of  children 
and  the  aid  of  other  friends  in  teaching.  This  was  early  in  1872.  Mr. 
Elippo  repeated  his  visits  frequently,  preaching  with  great  acceptance, 
and  strengthening  the  little  band.  In  October,  Rev.  George  Bradford 
visited  the  field,  just  at  the  beginning  of  a  special  meeting,  and  preached 
with  much  power.    Rev.  Mr.  Waters,  of  Wilmington,  Rev.  Jas.  Nelson 


1 74  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

and  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson,  also  came  in  turn,  and  for  seven  weeks  tha 
meetings  were  protracted,  resulting  in  the  conversion  and  baptism  of 
thirteen  persons.  On  the  25th  of  November,  sixteen  believers  were 
organized  into  the  Longwood  Baptist  Church. 

Bro.  Bradford  became  their  first  pastor.  Efforts  were  made  at  once 
to  establish  the  new  body  in  a  new  house  of  worship,  and,  not  to  make 
too  much  detail,  suffice  it  to  say  that  in  about  two  years  they  were  in 
possession  of  a  neat,  tasteful  building,  and  had  increased  to  eighty-five 
members.  The  money  to  build  was  contributed  or  collected  by  them- 
selves, with  very  little  aid,  if  any,  from  Baltimoi'e  Baptists. 

In  1876,  Bro.  Bradford  resigned  the  field,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
P.  T.  Warren,  in  1877.  His  labors-  were  blest;  a  balance  of  debt  on 
the  church  was  paid  off,  and  the  membership  was  increased  to  103. 
It  must  be  noted  here,  that  like  all  country  societies,  the  members  are 
widely  scattered,  many  of  their  homes  being  several  miles  distant  from 
the  meeting  house.     Bro.  Warren  resigned   in  1880,  to  go  to  Virginia. 

Bro.  W.  S.  Read  was  ordained  in  September,  1880,  and  entered  the 
pastorate,  but  ill  health  compelled  him  to  retire  within  a  year,  and  he 
died,  Nov.  20, 1881.  The  Church  had  irregular  service  for  a  year.  Bro. 
Probasco  removed  to  the  west,  and  the  Church  lost  ground.  In  1882, 
Bro.  Bradford  was  recalled,  and  has  preached  regularly  as  the  weather 
and  his  increasing  age  would  permit.  The  Church  building  is  valued 
at  $2,500,  and  a  parsonage,  recently  erected,  at  $1,000,  both  of  which 
are  paid  for.     Present  membership  95. 


LEADENHALL  ST.  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 


BALTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  History,  175 

1873. 
LEADENHALL  ST.  BAPTIST  CHURCH,. 

BALTIMORE. 

The  Maryland  Baptist  Union  Association  has  at  all  times  been  deeply 
interested  in  the  religious  needs  and  prospects  of  the  colored  brethren 
wjthin  its  bounds.  The  new  civil  rights  and  advantages  accorded  to 
the  colored  people,  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  and  their  great 
responsibilities  flowing  therefrom,  served  to  strengthen  and  increase 
the  desire  that  they  should  have  their  privileges  fully  as  "fellow  citizens 
of  the  saints  and  of  the  household  of  faith."  At  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Association  in  1870,  the  following  resolution  was  passed :  "Ee- 
solved,  That  the  Executive  Board  be  requested  to  appoint  a  Committee 
of  five,  to  visit  the  Colored  Churches,  with  such  kindly  sympathy  and 
such  assistance  as  may  be  acceptable."  In  accordance  therewith,  the 
Executive  Board,  at  its  first  meeting,  appointed  the  following  Commit- 
tee: E.  W.  King,  (chairman,)  Charles  A.  Keyser,  (secretary,)  Bernard 
Todd,  E.  Calvin  Williams  and  G,  K.  Tyler,  and  subsequently,  Christo- 
pher West.  For  fourteen  years,  the  work  of  the  Association  among  the 
Colored  Churches  has  been,  to  a  very  large  extent,  under  the  control 
and  management  of  this  Committee  ;  and  it  is  the  testimony  of  both 
the  Avhite  and  colored  brethren  that  the  appointment  of  the  Committee 
was  wise,  and  that  great  good  has  resulted  therefrom.  The  Churches 
have  been  visited,  counselled,  strengthened;  new  Churches  have  been 
formed,  new  fields  opened  and  meeting  houses  built ;  missionaries  ap- 
pointed and  sent  forth  ;  and  the  Baptist  denomination,  among  the  col- 
ored people,  from  being  a  mere  weakling,  has  grown  to  be  a  power  in 
the  city  of  Baltimore  and  State  of  Maryland. 

One  of  the  fields  of  labor  first  presented  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Committee,  as  especially  destitute,  and  therefore  especially  inviting, 
was  South  Baltimore.  There  was  found  there  a  large  colored  popula- 
tion, without  Baptist  Churches.  Early  in  1870,  a  small  interest  was 
started  there,  known  as  the  "Providence  Baptist  Church,"  of  which  the 
late  well-known  Rev.  Lewis  Hicks  was  elected  pastor,  and  received  some 
support  from  the  Association.  The  Church  rented  a  small  and  insuf- 
ficient place  for  meeting,  inadequate  to  hold  the  numbers  who  desired 
to  attend  ;  and  the  Committee  deemed  it  their  manifest  duty  to  attempt 
the  erection  of  a  suitable  house  of  worship  for  the  colored  brethren  of 
this  section. 


176  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  March  31, 1872,  a  union  meeting  of  the  Baptist 
■denomination  was  held  in  the  Seventh  Church.  This  subject  was  laid 
before  the  brethren ;  they  resolved  to  build ;  and  |8,000  were  promptly 
subscribed  toward  the  project.  The  Committee  soon  after  secured  the 
lease  of  a  lot  on  Leadenhall  street,  and  began  the  erection  of  the  pres- 
ent large  and  commodious  structure.  The  veteran  Baptist,  Bro.  Jos.  B. 
Thomas,  sr.,  prepared  all  the  plans  and  superintended  the  construction, 
gratuitously.  The  house  is  sixty  by  ninety  feet,  built  of  brick  ;  its 
ground  floor  contains  a  commodious  lecture  and  Sunday  school  room, 
and  the  upper  floor,  for  Church  services,  with  galleries,will  hold  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  hundred  people. 

The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  |18,000.  The  Church  Extension 
Society  managed  this  enterprise,  as  it  has  several  others,  with  complete 
success,  demonstrating  its.  great  usefulness  to  the  denomination.  The 
church  was  dedicated  in  November,  1872. 

The  building  being  ready  for  occupation,  on  May  13,  1873,  eight 
persons  were  organized  as  the  Leadenhall  Street  Baptist  Church,  and 
Kev.  Thos.  Henson  was  appointed  missionary  on  the  field,  and  labored 
for  about  a  year. 

He  met  with  some  success,  but  owing  to  the  ignorance  and  prejudice 
then  prevailing  among  his  people,  the  truth  reached  only  a  few.  Rev 
J.  C.  Allen,  of  the  First  Colored  Church,  (then  meeting  on  Thomsen 
street,)  was  then  appointed  also  to  labor  here,  in  addition  to  his  own 
place,but  the  field  was  too  wide  for  one  pastor,  and  he  remained  only 
a  short  time.  The  Church,  however,  grew  healthfully,  and  reported  146 
members  in  1874.  In  the  meantime,  a  number  of  the  members  of  the 
Providence  Church  withdrew  and  connected  themselves  here.  The  old 
organization  shortly  ceased,  and  Bro.  Hicks  was  appointed  missionary 
to  the  colored  people  at  Cumberland. 

In  1875,  the  Board  secured  Rev.  Ananias  Brown,  pastor  of  a  Church 
in  Newport,  R.  I.,  to  settle  here  and  strive  to  build  up  this  interest. 

Bro.  Brown  was  born  in  Richmond,  Va.,  and  studied  at  Wayland  Sem- 
inary when  a  young  man.  He  entered  the  work  here  with  hopes  which 
have  been  realized.  Patient,  careful  teaching,  faithful  preaching,  with 
the  Lord's  blessing,  have  built  up  the  membership,  until  the  Church 
is  now  strong  in  numbers  and  influence.  She  has  long  since  ceased  to 
receive  aid  from  the  Board,  and  has  contributed  to  others.  A  flourish- 
ing Sunday  school  is  carried  on  and  is  shedding  gospel  light  throughout 
the  homes  of  the  neighborhood. 

The  Church  has  now  over  600  members.  The  deacons  are  :  Joseph 
Luffman,  Peyton  Taylor,  David  Pitts,  Geo.  C.  Warren,  Jas.  Williams, 
Peter  Ail  or.     Clerk,  Richard  Freeman. 


Maryland  Baptist  Histo7'y.  177 


1874. 
HAMPDEN   BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

WooDBERRY  is  a  thriving  settlement,  two  miles  north  of  Baltimore 
City,  but  extending  quite  a  distance  toward  it  and  embracing  another 
settlement  distinctively  known  as  Hampden.  Several  large  machine 
shops  and  cotton  factories  are  within  these  limits,  and  employ  a  great 
number  of  people,  who  live  in  the  neighborhood.  The  population  is 
now  about  ten  thousand.  The  whole  district,  including  Waverly,  will 
probably  be  absorbed  in  the  City  within  a  few  years. 

Before  giving  an  account  of  the  present  "Woodberry"  or  "Hampden" 
Church,  as  it  is  indifferently  called,  we  should  notice  an  earlier  attempt 
to  implant  a  Baptist  Church  in  this  important  field,  made  nearly  forty 
years  ago,  by  Rev.  Franklin  Wilson. 

In  the  summer  of  1847,  in  connection  with  Rev.  Wm.  Wilder,  pastor 
of  the  Waverly  Church,  Bro.  Wilson  held  several  meetings  in  the  woods 
in  that  vicinity,  which  were  attended  by  such  crowds,  that  he  resolved 
to  build  a  house  of  worship  there.  Accordingly,  he  procured  a  lot  on 
the  Falls  Road,  near  the  "Rockdale"  factory,  (since  destroyed  by  fire,) 
in  the  centre  of  the  population  at  that  time,  and  erected  and  furnished 
a  handsome  stone  building,  with  a  basement  lecture  room,  steeple  and 
bell,  at  a  total  cost  of  $5,000.  It  was  dedicated  April  23,  18-48,  Bro. 
Wilson  preaching  the  sermon  on  the  distinctive  principles  of  Baptists. 
Rev.  Wm.  Wilder  made  it  one  of  his  preaching  stations,  and  Bro.  Wm, 
H.  Hamer,  with  a  faithful  corps  of  teachers,  principally  from  the  High 
street  Church  of  Baltimore,  conducted  a  Sunday  school  there,  which 
soon  became  large  and  promising.  Before  long,  souls  were  converted, 
converts  were  baptized,  and  in  1849,  a  Church  was  organized  with  a 
few  members,  which  joined  the  Maryland  Union  Association  as  the 
"Rockdale  Church." 

After  several  years,  through  fluctuations  of  the  manufacturing  popu- 
lation, the  members  of  the  Church  removed,  the  school  declined,  the 
house  was  closed  for  religious  services  and  rented  for  a  public  school ; 
until  in  1854  the  Water  Board  needed  the  ground,  and  purchased  the 
property  at  less  than  half  its  cost.  The  Hampden  Reservoir  now  oc- 
cupies the  spot,  and  the  "Rockdale  Church"  is  a  thing  of  the  past. 

In  the  spring  of  1874,  Bro.  D.  B.  Wilhelm  and  a  number  of  other 
brethren  and  sisters  of  the  Forest  Church,  now  living  in  Woodberry, 
who  had  been  holding  prayer  meetings  with  great  success  for  some  time, 
withdrew  by  letter  from  that  body  to  organize  a  new  Church.     A  meet- 


1 78  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

ing  was  held  in  tlie  United  Brethren  church,  of  which  Kev.  J.  W.  M. 
Williams  was  moderator  and  Dr.  li.  M.  J.  Harker  was  secretary,  and  a 
Church  constituted  with  twenty-two  members.  A  hall  was  rented 
shortly  after,  and  regular  services  held. 

Rev.  James  Nelson,  our  State  evangelist,  held  a  protracted  meeting 
there,  which  resulted  in  several  conversions,  and  organized  a  Sunday 
school.  Rev.  J.  H.  Barnes  was  called  to  the  charge  of  the  Church  in 
June,  1874:,  which  had  then  increased  to  fifty-four  members.  The 
hall  being  now  too  small  for  public  services,  a  large  tent  was  procured, 
by  the  aid  of  Baltimore  brethren,  "which  was  located  near  the  site  of 
the  present  house  of  worship,  and  used  all  the  summer  for  preaching  to 
large  audiences. 

A  lot  was  procured  in  a  good  position,  and  a  portion  of  it  sub-leasedr 
so  as  to  reduce  its  cost  to  about  $700,  upon  which  a  church  was  built, 
costing  about  $4,300.  The  contributions  of  the  members  were  liberal, 
but  the  bulk  of  the  expense  was  paid  by  the  Baltimore  brethren,  though 
not  until  a  year  or  two  afterward.  The  Board  also  gave  largely  to  the 
support  of  the  pastor,  as  they  still  continue  to  do. 

Bro.  Barnes  returned  to  A^irginia  in  1875.  Rev.  B.  C  Parker  then 
labored  here  acceptably  for  about  nine  months,  leaving  in  the  summer 
of  1876  for  another  State.  For  some  weeks,  services  were  conducted  by 
Bro.  E.  B.  White  and  other  members  of  the  ''Lay  Preachers'  Associa- 
tion." In  July,  Rev.  A.  W.  Graves,  of  Va.,  who  had  been  recently  or- 
dained, took  charge  for  a  few  months.  In  April,  1878,  Bro.  A.  B.  John- 
ston, a  licentiate  of  the  Franklin  Square  Church,  preached  there  regu- 
larly, by  appointment  of  the  Board,  though  he  resided  in  the  city,  until 
February,  1880.  Rev.  Samuel  Saunders  succeeded,  and  rema*ined  until 
July,' 1881.  There  were  several  conversions  during  his  time,  but  the 
field  appeared  difficult.  Rev.  Chas.  A.  Harris  now  accepted  charge, 
and  accomplished  some  thorough  work  in  the  upbuilding  and  strength- 
ening of  the  Church,  but  his  health  failing,  he  resigned  in  June,  1882. 
Rev.  A.  S.  Flock  assumed  charge  shortly  after,  and  served  until  May, 
1884.  In  December  following,  Rev.  F.  B.  LaBarrer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
but  formerly  a  member  of  Lee  St.  Church,  took  charge  as  pastor,  under 
appointment  of  our  Board,  and  js  now  on  the  field.  The  Church  num- 
bers 100  members.  The  deacons  are  John  Freeland,  Harrison  Watkins 
and  Daniel  G.  Stevens.  Treasurer,  J.  Herman  Suter.  Clerk,  D.  G. 
Stevens,  jr.     The  Sunday  school  numbers  about  one  hundred  scholars^ 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 79 


1874. 
GRACE    BAPTIST    CHURCH, 

B  A  LT  I  MO  R  E. 

Ix  1872,  at  the  suggestion  of  brethren  John  F,  Helm  and  Solomon 
E.  Wright,  the  Young  People's  Association  of  the  High  Street  Baptist 
Church  decided  to  begin  mission  work  in  a  one-story  building  on  Ais- 
quith  street,  near  Hoffman,  and  a. meeting  was  held  there,  on  Sunday 
afternoon,  April  14.  There  were  present,  Kev.  Mark  R.  Watkinson? 
then  pastor  of  High  St.  Church,  brethren  J.  F.  Helm,  R.  M.  J.  Harker, 
and  C.  .J.  Stewart,  and  Misses  Sallie  Eckhart  and  Emma  Musick.  A 
school  was  organized  having  nine  scholars,  with  Bro.  Helm  as  superin- 
tendent. Books  were  supplied  by  the  Bible  and  Sunday  School  Union 
societies.  Thus  was  planted  a  seed  which  has  brought  forth  abundant 
fruit. 

The  school  soon  increased  to  thirty-nine  members,  and  requiring 
larger  quarters,  removed  to  the  dwelling  No.  538  Aisquith  street,  where 
the  largest  attendance  during  the  first  year  reached  seventy.  Weekly 
prayer  meetings  were  also  held.  In  the  latter  part  of  1873,  Bro.  Miles 
S.  Read*  and  his  brother  Wm.  S.  Read,  members  of  the  Eutaw  Place 
Church,  became  attached  to  this  mission,  and  the  former  was  invited 
to  preach  regularly  on  Sunday  afternoons.  In  a  short  time,  forty  per- 
sons professed  conversion. 

By  the  advice  and  substantial  encouragement  of  Dr.  Fuller  and  other 
friends,  the  brethren  determined  to  organize  a  Church  and  build  a 
house  of  worship.  A  lot  was  leased,  and  a  brick  chapel  erected  at  a 
cost  of  ^4,000.  Three-fourths  of  this  amount  was  raised  and  paid,  and 
the  balance,  with  $200  additional  for  improvements,  remained  for  some 
time  as  a  debt.  On  June  12,  1874,  twenty-one  members  of  the  Eutaw 
Place  Church  and  eleven  from  the  High  St.  Church,  united  by  letter, 
and  organized  the  "Shiloli  Baptist  Church."  Charles  H.  Roberts  and 
Wm.  S.  Read  were  elected  deacons,  and  C.  J.  Stewart  clerk.  Bro.  M. 
S.  Read  was  unanimously  requested  to  act  as  pastor,  which  he  kindly 
consented  to  do  for  one  year,  without  compensation. 


*Bro.  M.  S.  Read  writes,  "ily  reason  for  going  to  Shiloh  mission  was  one  of 
Dr.  Fuller's  stirring  sermons.  I  had  been  in  the  Church  several  months,  and  done 
nothing.  He  stirred  me  that  day  as  I  had  seldom  been  moved  before.  I  deter- 
mined to  search  for  some  field  of  labor." 


1 80  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

On  June  24,  a  council  of  Churches  was  called,  of  which  Rev.  M.  R. 
Watkinson  was  chairman,  and  Dr.  C.  A.  Leas  secretary,  which  approved 
of  the  new  organization.  Public  recognition  services  were  held  on 
Monday,  June  28,  in  which  the  following  ministers  participated:  Prayer 
by  Rev.  M.  R.  Watkinson;  sermon  by  Rev.  J.  T.  Craig;  charge  to  the 
Church  by  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller;  hand  of  fellowship,  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  W.  M- 
Williams  ;  scripture  reading  by  Rev.  0.  F.  Flippo,  and  benediction  by 
Rev.  John  Pollard. 

On  August  18,  the  Sunday  school  was  formally  surrendered  by  the 
Young  People's  Association  of  High  St.  Church.  The  Shiloh  Church 
was  admitted  to  the  Association  in  November,  and  reported  thirty-nine 
members,  and  ninety-five  teachers  and  scholars  in  the  school. 

The  year  for  which  Bro.  Read  had  agreed  to  serve  the  Church  as 
pastor,  without  remuneration,  having  expired,  and  he  having  fiulfilled 
the  duty  satisfactorily,  the  members  unanimously  called  him  to  the 
regular  pastorate,  June,  1875,  at  a  salary  of  $900,  of  which  the  Execu- 
tive Board  agreed  to  pay  $700  for  the  current  year.  Bro.  Read  was 
then  ordained,  in  the  Eutaw  Place  Church,  and  entered  his  work  anew. 

During  1875,  the  interest  prospered  greatly.  Twelve  converts  were 
baptized,  and  fifteen  members  received  by  letter  and  experience.  The 
following  year  seven  persons  were  baptized  and  twelve  were  received  by 
letter  and  experience.  There  had  been  some  dismissals  and  exclusions, 
but  the  total  membership  was  sixty-five.  In  September,  1877,  Bro. 
Read  resigned,  to  complete  his  studies  at  Crozer  Theological  Seminary. 
It  was  with  many  regrets  the  Church  parted  with  its  first  pastor. 

Only  a  few  can  realize  what  a  work  it  is  to  conduct  a  mission  suc- 
cessfully in  such  a  location  as  was  selected  for  this  one,  surrounded  by 
a  population,  most  of  whom  had  little  respect  for  God,  and  none  for  his 
servants.  On  several  occasions,  Bro.  Read  was  stoned  by  the  rough 
element  of  the  neighborhood.  Even  some  of  those  who  were  received 
into  the  Church  were  lacking  in  their  vows  to  God  and  moral  obliga- 
tions to  their  fellow  men.  But  amidst  all  these  discouragements,  Bro. 
Read  labored  faithfully,  as  pastor,  financier,  and  sometimes  as  sexton. 
Each  year,  such  part  of  his  salary  as  the  Church  was  unable  to  pay  him 
he  presented  to  it.  Besides  this,  he  expended  in  improvements  on  the 
church  building,  several  hundred  dollars  of  his  own  means,  which  he 
had  earned  by  commissions  on  the  sale  of  coal.  He  is  now  serving 
a  Church  in  Virginia. 

Bro.  Wm.  S.  Read  also  went  to  Crozer.  He  afterwards  became  pas- 
tor of  the  Church  at  Longvvood,  where  he  died,  in  1880. 

In  August,  1877,  the  Church  called  Bro.  Charles  D.  Parker,  a  licen- 
tiate of  High  St.  Church,  to  the  pastorate.  About  this  time,  the  roll 
of  members  was  revised,  and  the  number  reduced  to  thirty-seven.   Bro. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 8 1 

Parker  entered  into  earnest  work,  and  soon  reported  a  number  of  addi- 
tions. In  October,  1877,  the  Orient  Baptist  Church  [see  note  on  Beth- 
any Church]  having  lost  their  acting  pastor,  Rev.  M.R.  Watkinson,  by- 
death,  were  invited  to  join  the  Shiloh  Church.  The  invitation  was  ac- 
cepted, the  Orient  Church  disbanded  in  December,  1877,  and  seventy 
of  its  members  united  with  the  Shiloh  Church,  on  their  Christian  ex- 
perience. Of  the  remaining  fifty-five,  some  united  with  other  Churches, 
and  a  portion  failed  to  join  any  Church.  The  union  of  so  many  of  the 
Orient  members  with  Shiloh  brought  their  entire  congregation,  so  that 
the  building  became  crowded.  A  gracious  revival  followed,  and  con- 
tinued for  several  months,  resulting  in  one  hundred  conversions ;  but 
owing  to  the  great  distance  at  which  many  of  the  converts  lived,  only 
thirty-seven  were  baptized.  The  pastor,  who  was  not  yet  ordained,  was 
assisted  in  ministerial  duties  by  his  brother.  Rev.  B.  G.  Parker  and 
others. 

The  members  were  now  reminded  of  the  heavy  debt  of  over  |1,00{> 
which  rested  on  their  building,  which  was  a  surprise  to  some  of  them. 
Then  began  a  struggle  which  was  full  of  anxiety.  The  Church  had 
only  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  members,  all  poor,  and  would  certainly 
have  sunk  under  the  pressure  for  immediate  payment,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  a  friend  in  Eutaw  Place  Church,  who  advanced  the  money  on 
notes  of  two  of  the  members.  The  Building  Loan  Fund  also  advanced 
some  money. 

In  1876,  when  the  Maryland  Baptists  united  in  raising  a  Centennial 
Thank  OflFering  to  God  for  the  payment  of  the  debts  of  all  our  mission 
Churches,  the  sum  of  |1,121.&8  was  appropriated  to  Shiloh  Churchy 
and  some  months  afterwards  paid. 

The  Report  of  the  Board  for  1877  says,  "Shiloh  has  been  the  bright- 
est spot  in  our  mission  field  this  year." 

The  two  succeeding  years  were  marked  by  revivals  and  conversions. 

On  March  17, 1879,  a  council  having  given  approval,  Bro.  Charles  D. 
Parker  was  regularly  ordained  to  the  ministry.  The  officiating  clergy- 
men were  Rev.  Drs.  Williams,  Bitting,  Brantly,  and  Wilson,  Rev.  E.  M. 
Barker  and  Rev.  A.  J.  Hires.  This  year  forty-one  converts  were  bap- 
tized, and  the  membership  Avas  increased  to  two  hundred. 

In  1880,  the  Church  was  much  depressed  by  pecuniary  difficulties. 
The  members  were  compelled  to  use  extraordinary  financial  exertions, 
which,  they  believe  now  was  all  that  saved  them  from  dissolution,  for 
they  had  become  dissatisfied  with  the  condition  of  the  building  and 
its  location.  However,  they  frescoed  and  finished  the  interior  of  the 
house,(the  exterior  is  still  incomplete,)  and  paid  about  f  600  of  accrued 
debt.  When  this  was  done,  they  recovered  a  healthful  condition,  and 
continued  increasing  in  numbers  and  zeal. 


1 82  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

In  1881,  the  Church  enjoyed  a  revival,  and  thirty  converts  were  bap- 
tized. In  1882,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  change  the  name  of  the 
Church  from  "Shiloh"  to  "Aisquith  St.,"  in  consequence  of  a  colored 
Baptist  Church  in  south  Baltimore  (not  connected  with  our  Association) 
adopting  the  former  title. 

On  January  29,  1883,  the  High  St.  Church  gave  up  the  charge  of 
Bethany  Chapel,  on  Eager  st.,  where  a  mission  had  been  conducted  for 
some  time,  and  the  Aisquith  St.  Church  accepted  it.  The  pastor  and 
members  at  once  transferred  their  regular  services  to  Bethany  Chapel, 
without  however  ceasing  to  hold  weekly  meetings  and  a  Sunday  school 
in  the  old  location.  A  protracted  meeting  was  held,  and  glorious  spir- 
itual blessings  followed.  Over  two  hundred  persons  were  converted, 
and  the  Sunday  school  attendance  increased  from  one  to  two  hundred. 
Bro.  Parker  was  assisted  by  Rev.  John  B.  English,  then  State  Evan- 
gelist, and  the  pastors  of  other  Churches. 

In  November,  1883,  Bro.  Parker  resigned,  to  accept  charge  of  the 
Pittsgrove  Baptist  Church,  Daretown,  N.  J.  His  arduous  work  here 
necessitated  a  change  of  scene.  The  Church  passed  resolutions  com- 
mending him  for  his  faithful  labors.  The  membership  had  now  in- 
creased to  nearly  three  hundred. 

In  addition  to  the  loss  of  their  pastor,  they  were  called  to  part  with 
two  of  their  most  efficient  deacons;  one  of  whom,  Bro.  Edward  C.  Al~ 
lard,  was  ordamed  to  the  ministry,  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Frost- 
burg  Baptist  Church,  where  he  is  now  laboring,  with  much  success; 
the  other,  Bro.  Wm.  Bruce,  by  death.  He  was  a  faithful  Christian, 
loved  and  respected  by  the  entire  Church. 

The  pulpit  was  supplied  for  several  months  by  different  ministers, 
until  April,  1884,  when  Rev.  J.  B.  English  entered  upon  the  pastorate, 
to  which  he  had  been  unanimously  invited.  The  Church  now  reached 
forward  to  a  leading  position,  and  the  prospect  began  to  brighten  as 
she  took  courage  to  advance. 

For  a  long  time  it  was  felt  that  both  the  church  buildings  were  un- 
suitably located,  and  inadequate  to  hold  the  congregations  necessary  to 
a  self-supporting  Church;  and  an  indefinite  desire  had  been  expressed 
by  the  memb(;rs  of  this  body,  as  well  as  by  many  brethren  outside,  for 
a  more  commodious  building  in  a  desirable  locality.  With  this  object 
in  view,  they  dropped  the  title  of  the  old  house,  "Aisquith  Street,"  and 
became  incorporated  as  "Grace  Baptist  Church,"  electing  the  following 
trustees:  Rev.  Franklin  \¥ilson,  D.  D.,  Dr.  Milton  Hammond,  D.J. 
Emich,  Frank  H.  Farley,  Elijah  Beacham,  Amos  J.  Cleaveland,  and 
Rev.  J.  B.  English,  (ex  officio.)  They  consulted  with  the  Church  Ex- 
tension Society,  and  by  their  advice  have  secured  a  lot,  eighty  by  one 
hundred  feet,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Caroline  and  Preston  streets. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  183 

The  house  011  Aisquith  street  will  be  held  as  a  mission  until  sold. 
The  Eager  st.  chapel  is  occupied  temporarily,  it  is  hoped,  until  a  new 
church  shall  be  erected  on  the  above  lot.  The  present  attendance  is 
frequently  overflowing. 

On  March  31,  1885,  the  first  anniversary  of  Bro.  English's  pastorate 
was  held,  and  an  "Annual  Roll  Call"  of  the  members  made.  Rev.  Dr. 
F.  M.  Ellis,  pastor  of  Eutaw  Place  Church,  and  Bro.  Eugene  Levering, 
president  of  the  Church  Extension  Society,  made  addresses.  The  year 
just  ended  was  reported  as  one  of  memorable  progress  in  the  Church. 
Eighty-five  members  were  added,  making  a  total  of  three  hundred  and 
sevens-five.  The  Sunday  school  attendance  in  both  chapels  numbers 
nearly  seven  hundred.  A  normal  class  of  teachers  is  conducted  weekly 
by  the  pastor.  The  members  have  shown  great  self-denial,  in  bearing 
the  increased  financial  burdens  of  the  Church.  A  collection  is  taken 
at  every  service  an  an  act  of  worsliip.  A  large  collection  was  taken  at 
this  Roll  Call  meeting,  which  has  since  been  increased  to  $3,000,  to  aid 
in  the  purchase  of  their  new  ground,  the  location  of  which  is  in  every 
way  desirable,  commanding  the  whole  field.  Grace  Church  is  the  only 
Baptist  body  in  a  portion  of  the  city  about  two  miles  square,  containing 
a  population  of  about  4:5,000  souls.  The  unoccupied  parts  are  rapidly 
filling  up  and  increasing  this  number. 

This  Church,  with  the  aid  of  the  Church  Extension  Society,  and 
the  favor  of  God,  has  decided  to  go  forward  and  erect  a  suitable  house 
of  worship  on  their  lot.  When  that  is  done,  a  Sunday  school  of  a  thous- 
and children  may  be  gathered,  a  large  membership  may  be  added  to 
the  Church,  and  the  whole  may  form  a  great  power  for  the  spreading 
of  the  Gospel.  To  that  end  the  pastor  and  people  are  perfectly  united 
and  enthusiastic. 

The  deacons  of  the]Church  are  at  present,  Charles  H.  Roberts,  David 
C.  Noyes,  Daniel  J.  Emich,  (treasurer,)  Frank  H.  Farley  and  Elijah 
Beacham.     Clerk,  Otis  C.  Brownley. 


NOTE. 

Bethany  Baptist  Church. — This  Church  was  originated  through  the  effort 
of  Mrs.  Mary  A..  Dodge  and  Mrs.  Jane  H.  Rupp,  who  maintained  weekly  praj'er 
meetings  in  1871,  at  their  residence  on  Eager  street,  which  resulted  iu  the  conver- 
sion of  several  persons.  A  Sunday  school  was  started  in  an  unoccupied  house, 
which  increased  so  rapidly  that  Mrs.  Dodge  leased  a  lot  and  determined  to  build 
a  chapel,  which  she  did,  in  1873,  at  a  cost  of  $7,000,  mostly  at  her  own  expense. 
Bro.  Geo.  G.  Tyler  also  contributed  liberally. 


1 84  Maiyland  Baptist  History. 

A  Church  was  now  organized  with  eleven  members,  and  recognized  by  a  regular 
council.  Rev.  Mark  R.  Watkinson  was  elected  pastor.  During  the  following 
year,  a  misunderstanding  occurred  between  Mrs.  Dodge  and  a  large  majority  of 
the  members,  who  were  locked  out  of  the  chapel.  These  immediately  reorgan- 
ized themselves  in  a  public  hall  and  adopted  the  title  of  "Orient  Baptist  Church," 
with  Bro.  Watkinson  as  acting  pastor.  They  numbered  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  persons.  The  minority  of  members  reinaining  in  Bethany  Church 
afterwards  met  and  erased  the  names  of  the  others.  They  called  Mr.  D.  D.  Reed» , 
a  member  of  Eutaw  Place  Church,  licensed  him  to  preach,  and  had  him  ordained 
as  pastor.  He  reported  twenty-eight  members  in  1875.  A  difficulty  occurring 
between  the  pastor  and  Church,  he  resigned  in  June,  1876.  Rev.  J.  T.  Bradford 
served  for  a  few  months,  and  in  a  year  or  two,  regular  services  ceased.  The  prop- 
erty was  vested  in  trustees,  and  was  used  as  a  mission,  until  recently  reoctupied 
by  most  of  its  early  occupants,  as  members  of  Grace  Church. 

Rev.  M.  R.  Watkinson,  above  referred  to,  is  mentioned  in  the  Baptist  Cyclope- 
dia, as  a  minister  of  unusual  talents,  who  was  greatly  blessed  in  his  labors  at  both 
north  and  south.  His  career  in  Baltimore  was  not  agreeable,  owing  to  peculiar 
circumstances,  but  his  death  was  deeply  lamented  by  all  who  knew  of  his  worth 
and  deep  piety.     His  knowledge  and  memory  of  Scripture  were  remarkable. 


1874. 

MACEDONIA  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

This  Church  originated  through  the  efforts  of  W.  Charles  Lawson, 
Leauder  Jones  and  other  brethren  of  the  Union  Church.  They  began 
in  a  stable  loft  in  Vincent  Alley,  with  a  Sunday  school  and  prayer  meet- 
ing, which  developed  ra])idly  into  a  Church.  The  stable  was  remod- 
eled, floored  and  seated,  by  the  kindness  of  Bro.  G.  C  Tyler  and  others, 
and  on  Sept.  29,  1874,  a  meeting  was  called  to  organize  a  new  Church. 

The  records  state  that  Mr.  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  was  requested  to  act 
as  moderator,  Mr.  L.  Minor  as  secretary.  Mr.  W.  H.  Hamer  offered  a 
prayer.  Sixteen  members  of  Union  Church  presented  a  letter  of  com- 
mendation. The  moderator  presented  and  explained  a  Baptist  manual, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  the  following  officers  elected : 
Deacons,  W.  C.  Lawson,  Leander  Jones,  Henry  Jenkins,  John  I.  Lane, 
George  Jones.  Clerk,  S.  W.  Washington.  Rev.  G,  W.  Sanderlin,  pas- 
tor of  Franklin  Square  Church,  Rev.  Harvey  Johnson  of  Union  Church, 
Mr.  \Vm.  H.  Hamer,  Dr.  George  F.  Child,  Mr.  Christopher  West,  and 
others,  addressed  the  new  Church.  On  November  5,  following,  it  was 
properly  recognized  by  a  council  representing  nine  Churches. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  185 

The  Church  adopted  the  title  of  Macedonia,  licensed  Bro.  Lawson  to 
preach,  held  regular  worship,  joined  the  Maryland  Union  Association, 
leased  a  lot  on  Saratoga  street,  near  Gilmor,  and  prepared  to  build  a 
house.  In  this  they  were  generously  assisted  by  Bro.  C.  West,  who 
advanced  a  considerable  portion  of  the  money  for  building.  A  suitable 
brick  chapel,  holding  three  hundred  persons,  was  erected  for  $3,000» 
and  dedicated  June  34,  1876.  Mr.  Lawson  was  ordained  and  elected 
pastor,  August  25,  1878.  Previous  to  his  ordination,  Kev.  Dr.  F.  Wil- 
son preached  frequently  for  the  Church, and  baptized  twenty-six  persons. 

Within  two  years,  the  membership  had  increased  to  over  300,  and 
the  church  debt  was  paid.  They  then  arranged  to  buy  out  the  ground, 
which  has  since  been  nearly  accomplished.  The  Church  has  flourished 
remarkably,  and  now  numbers  700  members.  They  find  it  necessary 
to  build  a  larger  house,  and  are  now  preparing  to  undertake  the  task. 

The  Sunday  school  of  this  Church  has  always  been  a  prominent  fea- 
ture, and  is  one  of  the  most  orderly  in  the  city.  Mr.  Lawson  has  gen- 
erally conducted  it.  Both  the  Church  and  school  owe  much  of  their 
success  to  Mrs.  Lawson,  and  to  brethren  Leander  Jones,  John  L  Lane, 
J.  L.  Mathews  and  S.  W.  Washington. 

The  Church  started  a  mission  in  Whatcoat  street,  in  1881,  which 
has  since  developed  into  the  Patterson  Avenue  Church. 


1875. 

FIRST  COLORED  BAPT.  CHURCH,  FREDERICK. 

This  interest  was  organized  in  1875,  through  the  effort  of  various 
brethren.  Kev.  J.  W.  Roane  was  reported  as  pastor  in  1876,  with  thirty 
members.  Rev.  W.  B.  .Johnson  was  pastor,  1879-81 ;  Rev.  W.  R.  Bur- 
rill,  1881-3.  Many  conversions  have  been  reported,  but  the  members 
at  present  number  only  forty.  They  have  a  Sunday  school  of  ninety 
children,  and  occupy  theold  meeting  house  built  by  the  white  Baptist 
Church  of  Frederick,  many  years  ago,  of  which  Rev.  Jos.  H-  Jones  was- 
pastor,  and  which  has  become  extinct. 


186  JMaryland  Baptist  History. 

1875- 

EAST  NEV/  MARKET  BAPT.  CHURCH. 

In  1868,  thirteen  Baptists,  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  "Cabin 
Creek,"  Dorchester  county,  members  of  tlie  Vienna  Churcli,  fourteen 
miles  distant,  prompted  by  a  desire  for  a  more  convenient  place  of  pub- 
lic worship,  erected  in  their  vicinity  a  plain  wooden  tent  or  tabernacle, 
to  hold  about  a  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons,  A  Sunday  school 
was  organized,  and  a  prayer  meeting  established  ;  and  these  services 
were  maintained  regularly,  except  in  the  winter,  when  the  weather  Avas 
too  cold  to  meet  in  an  unplastered  house.  Preaching  was  had  occasion- 
ally. In  1872,  Rev.  N.  C.  Naylor,  pastor  of  the  Vienna  Church,  was 
appointed  to  preach  frequently  at  Cabin  Creek,  which  he  did,  to  the 
good  of  the  field,  for  a  time,  until  he  removed  to  Delaware.  In  August, 
1883,  Eev.  P.  T.  Warren  was  appointed  to  that  ground,  and  labored 
faithfully  to  improve  the  prospect.  In  1874,  he  held  a  series  of 
services  in  the  little  meeting  house  for  four  weeks,  preaching  and  visit- 
ing, unceasingly,  which  resulted  in  twenty-four  conversions.  Some  of 
the  converts  joined  other  Churches,  but  eighteen  were  baptized  by  Bro. 
Warren  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Vienna  Church,  with  a  view  of  soon 
organizing  a  new  Church  among  themselves. 

On  April  18,  1875,  these,  with  the  older  members,  having  obtained 
letters  of  dismission,  met  for  that  purpose.  Kevs.  Jas.  Nelson  and  P. 
T.  Warren,  aided  by  a  committee  from  the  Vienna  Church,  organized 
the  body  with  thirty-one  members.  Among  the  most  active  of  these, 
we  name  B,  Millard  and  wife,  Samuel  L.  Webster  and  wife,  and  Frank 
Loomis  and  wife.     Bro.  Warren  was  elected  pastor. 

A  movement  was  now  made  to  build  a  suitable  meeting  house  in  place 
of  the  temporary  shed,  which  had  become  unsaited.  A  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  collect  money  and  materials,  subscribing  first 
nearly  |300  themselves.  The  subscriptions  soon  reached  $500.  A  lot 
was  bought  and  a  house  erected,  24  by  36  feet,  with  a  baptistery.  Al- 
though not  finished  in  the  interior,  it  was  occupied,  in  the  following 
fall. 

Bro.  Warren  resigned  the  charge  in  November,  1875,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  L.  P.  Judson,  of  N.  Y.,  in  April,  1876,  who  resigned  in 
five  months,  for  lack  of  pecuniary  support.  For  two  years,  the  Church 
was  without  preaching. 

In  1878,  Rev.  C.  W.  Teasdale  took  charge,  and  the  house  was  com- 
pleted, and  dedicated  in  October,  of  that  year,  at  a  total  cost  of  about 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  187 

$700.  There  were  then  fifty-three  members.  Bro.  Teasdale  resigned 
in  June,  1879.  Serious  dissensions  prevailed  among  the  members,  and 
for  along  time  the  house  was  closed. 

In  1882,  Rev.  G.  V.  Board,  our  missionary  at  Vienna,  made  an  earnest 
effort  to  gather  the  scattered  members.  Regular  worship  and  Sunday 
school  teaching  were  renewed.  In  1883,  Rev.  John  B.  English,  State 
Evangelist,  made  a  special  effort  at  Cabin  Creek,  and  after  protracted 
services,  the  Church  renewed  its  vows,  and  a  healthier  condition  was 
promoted,  with,  however,  a  greatly  reduced  membership.  It  was  now 
deemed  advisable  to  dispose  of  the  meeting  house  to  another  denomi- 
nation, and  build  another  in  the  town  of  East  New  Market.  The  new 
building  is  under  way.  Rev.  F.  R.  Underwood,  of  N.  C,  our  present 
missionary  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  has  the  Church  in  charge.  Members 
at  this  time  about  twenty. 


EBENEZER  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  CUMBERLAND. 

The  Ebenezer  Church  at  Cumberland  was  organized  in  1875,  by 
Rev.  Lewis  Hicks,  with  the  aid  and  advice  of  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler. 
The  constituents  numbered  sixteen,  who  raised  $250  the  first  year,  for 
expenses.  Bro.  Hicks  labored  hard  to  build  a  meeting  house,  which 
he  succeeded  in  doing  in  1876,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200;  but  he  could  not 
collect  over  $700  toward  it,  and  he  left  Cumberland  in  1879,  very  much 
dejected.     The  Church  however  was  permitted  to  occupy  the  building. 

Rev.  Jacob  Robinson  acted  as  pastor  for  two  years,  the  Church  being 
very  feeble.  In  1882,  Rev.  L.  H.  Jackson  succeeded  him,  and  remained 
in  charge  until  April,  1885.  In  1883,  the  Church  borrowed  $500  from 
the  Building  Loan  Fund,  to  aid  them  in  paying  the  balance  due  on  the 
house.     The  members  at  present  number  thirty-four. 


1 88  Maryland  Baptist  History. 


1878. 

CALVARY    BAPTIST    CHURCH, 

BALT IMORE  . 

The  Calvary  Baptist  Church  was  organized  and  recognized  on  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1878,  by  a  council  of  delegates  from  the  "Baptist  Churches  of 
Baltimore,  Rev.  A.  J.  Hires  acting  as  moderator,  and  Mr.  F.  AV.  King 
secretary.  The  members  were  few  in  number,  and  had  come  fro^i 
the  Union  Church.  For  several  years,  they  had  been  holding  meet- 
ings, on  Oxford  street  first,  and  afterwards  in  an  old  carpenter  shop 
on  the  corner  of  Preston  street  and  Mason  alley,  where  this  organization 
took  place.  Twelve  members  constituted  the  new  body.  In  June, 
1879,  they  called  as  pastor,  Eev.  P.  H.  A.  Braxton,  of  Richmond,  Va., 
who  was  then  General  Agent  for  the  U.  S.  Missionary  Baptist  Con- 
vention. 

His  efforts  were  repaid  by  the  immediate  growth  of  the  Church. 
In  two  years  it  increased  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  members,  and 
sustained  itself  without  appealing  to  the  other  Churches.  They  now 
rented  a  hall  on  the  corner  of  Linden  Avenue  and  Hoffman  streets, 
which  they  fitted  up  and  occupied  for  about  a  year. 

In  1883,  the  pastor  and  Church  leased  an  admirably  located  lot,  on 
the  corner  of  Park  Avenue  and  Biddle  street,  and  in  a  few  months 
collected  $1,500  toward  erecting  upon  it  a  house  of  worship,  besides 
paying  from  $40  to  $90  per  month  for  current  expenses.  In  1883, 
they  laid  the  corner  stone  of  a  building,  which  was  completed  and  ded- 
icated in  March,  1885.  It  is  one  of  the  most  picturesque  and  attract- 
ive churches  occupied  byany  colored  congregation  in  Baltimore.  Being 
located  at  the  junction  of  three  streets,  it  occupies  a  prominent  and  ac- 
cessible position.  It  is  built  of  stone,  trimmed  with  dark  red  brick, 
and  is  roofed  with  slate.  At  the  most  prominent  angle  is  a  tower  of 
stone  twelve  feet  square,  surmounted  by  an  open  belfry  and  spire,  the 
whole  being  seventy-two  feet  from  the  ground  to  the  top  of  the  finial. 
Three  wide  doorways,  opening  on  different  streets,  enable  a  crowd  to 
vacate  the  house  in  three  minutes,  if  necessary.  The  audience  room  is 
fifty  by  eighty-two  feet,  with  an  open  timbered  roof,  frescoed  walls,  and 
seats  for  a  thousand  persons.  The  floors  are  carpeted,  the  windows 
are  of  stained  glass,  and  the  baptistery,  dressing  rooms  and  pastor's 
study,  are  all  convenient.  The  architects  were  J.  A.  and  W.  T.  Wil- 
son.    The  total  cost  Avas  about  $10,000,    most  of  which  has  been  col- 


CALVARY    BAPTIST    CHURCH 


B  ^  LTIMORE. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  189 

lected  and  paid,  through  the  exertions  of  the  pastor  and  the  Church, 
wlio  desire  it  to  be  recorded  that  among  the  contributions  were  $500 
each  from  Dr.  G.  K.  Tyler  and  Cliarles  Tyler,  and  $100  from  Dr.  F. 
Wilson. 

During  the  erection  of  the  church,  the  members  held  their  meetings 
ill  a  frame  structure  adjoining,  made  for  the  purpose. 

There  are  now  two  hundred  members. 


1878. 

FIRST  COLORED  BAPT.  CHURCH,  ROCKVILLE. 

The  First  Colored  Baptist  Church  of  Kockville  was  constituted  in 
1878,  by  Eev.  S.  J.  R.  Xelsou,  a  graduate  of  Howard  University.  He 
taught  school  and  preached  as  he  was  able.  Eev.  Mr.  Blackwell  was 
pastor  in  1883.  Bro.  Nelson  served  in  1884.  Rev.  J.  M.  Williams  is 
pastor  at  present.     Membership  twenty-four. 


1879. 

FIRST  COLORED  BAPT.  CHURCH.  ANNAPOLIS. 

Several  attempts  have  been  made  to  establish  both  white  and  col- 
ored Baptist  Churches  in  Annapolis,  but  all  have  failed.  In  18T9,  the 
scattered  members  of  a  disbanded  Church  which  had  been  fostered  by 
our  Association,  were  in  part  regathered,  and  organized  under  charge 
of  Rev.  A.  D.  G.  Raddick.  They  entitle  themselves  as  above,  and  have 
thus  far  cohered.  For  two  years  our  Board  paid  the  rent  of  a  school 
house  where  they  meet.  The  Baptist  State  Convention  has  purchased 
a  lot,  and  proposes  to  build  a  church  for  them  at  an  early  day. 


IQO 


Maryland  Baptist  History. 


[Fuller  Memorial  Baptist  Church.] 
1880. 

FULLER   MEMORIAL  BAPT.  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

In  1874,  the  Young  Men's  City  Mission  Society  of  the  Eutaw  Phice 
Baptist  Church  decided  on  making  an  effort  to  establish  an  interest  in 
the  further  north-western  part  of  the  city,  and  to  that  end  rented  Sew- 
ell's  Hall,  cor.  Pennsylvania  and  Patterson  avenues,  and  organized  a 
Sunday  school  therein,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  June  7,  1874,  with  a  total 
attendance  of  fifty-five  persons.  A  small  Sunday  school,  which  had 
been  previously  conducted  by  Bro.  Daniel  G.  Stevens,  in  a  room  on  the 
corner  of  Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  Fremont  street,  joined  with  the  new 
school  at  the  time.  Bro.  Wm.  H.  Ryan  acted  as  superintendent  for  a 
few  months.  Bro.  James  R.  Edmunds  was  his  assistant;  Bro.  J.  L. 
Hutchens  was  secretary,  and  Bro.  Leonard  Levering  treasurer.  Bro. 
Edmunds  shortly  succeeded  as  superintendent,  and  has  filled  the  posi- 
tion to  the  present  time. 

The  following  persons  were  connected  with  the  school  during  the 
first  year  as  teachers  or  officers :  Henry  S.  Kendall,  B.  B.  Warren, 
John  Brittain,  Miss  Josephine  M.  Edmunds,  Miss  Emma  Simmont, 
Miss  Hattie  King,  Miss  Maria  E.  Kendall,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Frush,  (all  of 
whom  were  present  at  the  founding  of  the  school ;)  Miss  Kate  Warren, 
Miss  Harriet  C.  Edmunds,  DeLeon  Whilden,  D.  C.  Chapman,  Hiram 
Woods,  jr.,  Wm.  A.  Zimmerman.  Miss  Augusta  Farmer  had  charge 
of  the  first  infant  class. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  igi 

After  more  than  two  years  of  faithful  work  with  small  numbers,  the 
school  began  to  increase  rapidly,  and  larger  premises  became  necessary. 
Meantime,  frequent  public  prayer  meetings  were  held  in  the  hall. 

Subscriptions  were  secured  to. build  a  chapel,  and  in  1877,  a  lot 
was  leased  on  the  corner  of  Patterson  Avenue  and  Calhoun  st.,  and  the 
following  committee  appointed,  to  erect  a  house,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
to  be  entitled  "The  Fuller  Memorial,"  in  commemoration  of  their  late 
pastor,  Kev.  Richard  Fuller,  D.  D.  Committee:  Eugene  Levering,  J. 
R.  Edmunds,  D.  0.  Chapman,  W.  M.  Mentzell  and  H.  S,  Kendall. 

Mr.  A.  S.  Potter  was  engaged  to  build  a  house,  which  was  completed 
on  June  30,1877. 

The  mission  school,  which  had  borne  the  title  "Olivet,"  was  removed 
to  the  new  building  the  next  day,  Sunday  July  1,  and  became  the  Fuller 
Memorial  School.    It  numbered  about  150  teachers  and  scholars. 

In  October,  weekly  preaching  services  were  begun,  Drs.  Bitting  and 
Williams,  and  other  ministers  officiating.  There  resulted  several  con- 
versions. During  1878  and  1879,  Rev.  Dr.  F.  Wilson  preached  regularly 
on  the  Sabbath  for  several  months.  The  Society  then  requested  the 
Executive  Board  to  appoint  a  missionary  to  this  field,  which  was  agreed 
to.  Rev.  J,  F.  Rapson,  of  JST.  Y.,  was  engaged  at  a  salary  of  $1,000  a 
year,  $400  to  be  paid  by  the  Mission.  The  effort  was  inaugurated  by 
a  meeting  at  Eutaw  Place  Church,  in  October,  1879,  at  which  addresses 
were  made  by  Rev.  Dr.  F.  H.  Kerfoot,  and  others.  Bro.  Rapson  began 
preaching  in  the  chapel,  October  13,  to  a  congregation  of  eighty-five 
persons.  In  the  following  April,  Rev.  J.  B.  English  assisted  him  in 
holding  special  services,  at  which  fifteen  persons  professed  conversion. 
On  July  1,  1880,  nineteen  members  of  Eutaw  Place  Church  and  two 
of  the  First  Church,  having  obtained  letters,  met  and  organized  a  new 
body,  under  the  title  of  "Fuller  Memorial  Baptist  Church."  At  a  sub- 
sequent meeting,  they  elected  as  deacons,  Jas.  G.Floyd,  H.  D.  Mentzell, 
John  Brittain  ;  treasurer,  Wm.  M.  Mentzell ;  and  clerk,  Henry  S.  Ken- 
dall. They  also  called  Mr.  Rapson  as  their  regular  pastor.  The  mem- 
bers soon  increased  to  forty.  The  Sunday  school,  which  was  held  in 
the  afternoon,  had  already  numbered  over  300  scholars.  A  Sunday 
morning  school  was  then  organized,  which  is  now  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  Bro.  H.  S.  Kendall.  In  February,  1882,  Bro.  Rapson  re- 
signed, to  go  to  another  State. 

The  Church  remained  without  a  pastor,  until  October,  1882,  when 
Rev.  J.  Henry  Brittain, of  Moorestown,]S[.  J.,  was  invited  to  this  impor- 
tant field.  He  was  warmly  welcomed  back  to  Baltimore,  having  been 
baptized  by  Dr.  Fuller,  and  entered  the  ministry  from  the  Seventh 
Church.  He  began  at  once  to  build  up  the  Church,  then  numbering 
fifty-three  names,  preaching  faithfully,  visiting  largely,  and  holding 
special  meetings. 


192  Maryland  Baptist  Histoi y. 

It  became  {ippareni,  liowever,  that  a  move  commodious  house  must  be 
directed,  if  the  Baptist  cause  was  to  be  materially  strengthened,  and 
proper  provision  made  for  the  afternoon  Sunday  school,  which  had  now 
outgrown  the  chapel.  The  matter  was  considered  carefully  by  the 
Church  Extension  Society,  with  a  view  to  the  future  needs  of  the  field, 
and  it  was  resolved,  by  a  union  effort,  to  build  a  new  and  larger  edifice 
for  this  Church.  A  lot  was  leased  on  the  corner  of  Carey  and  Presstman 
streets,  two  squares  distant  from  their  first  location,  and  upon  it  has 
been  erected  one  of  the  most  attractive  of  our  Baptist  churches.  It  is 
built  of  red  brick,  with  blue  stone  trimmings,  in  the  Queen  Anne  style 
of  architecture.  The  interior  arrangement  is  novel  and  convenient. 
All  the  apartments  are  on  the  same  floor,  except  the  infant  class,  which 
is  elevated  three  feer.  The  church  proper  is  separated  from  the  Sunday 
school  room  by  a  rich  heavy  curtain  of  raw  silk,  34  by  24  feet,  with  a 
large  window  of  cathedral  glass  above  it.  When  the  curtain  is  raised 
and  the  sliding  doors  pushed  back,  the  entire  building  can  be  converted 
into  one  large   audience    room,  capable  of  seating  a  thousand  people. 

The  baptistery  is  situated  back  of  the  superintendent's  desk  in  the 
Sunday  school  room.  The  entire  length  of  the  church  is  109  feet, 
with  a  variable  width,  averaging  65  feet.  Architect,  Wm.  H.  Marriott. 
Builder,  A.  S.  Potter.  The  cost  of  the  building  and  its  furnishing 
was  $18,000,  which  amount  was  raised  among  the  Baptists  of  Baltimore, 
many  individuals  giving  generously. 

The  Church  held  its  last  services  in  the  Chapel  on  October  5,  1884. 
Since  then  that  building  has  been  occupied  by  the  recently  organized 
Patterson  Avenue  Colored  Baptist  Church. 

On  October  13,  1884,  the  new  edifice  was  dedicated,  Rev.  J.  Henry 
Brittain  preaching  the  opening  sermon,  in  the  morning,  from  John  iv: 
18,  on  Christian  Worship.  Kev.  Dr.  Franklin  Wilson  off'ered  a  dedi- 
catory prayer.  In  the  afternoon,  the  Church  Extension  Society  held  a 
mass  meeting.  Eugene  Levering  presided.  Eev.  J.  L.  Burrows,  D.  D., 
of  Va.,  and  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon,  of  Immanuel  Church,  made  addresses. 
At  night,  a  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  A.  J.  Rowland,  of  Franklin 
Square  Church. 

The  opening  of  this  new  temple  was  followed  by  a  series  of  meetings, 
in  which    the   pastor  was  assisted  by  Rev.  H.  M.  Wharton. 

Recent  accessions  to  the  Church  have  increased  the  membership  to 
one  hundred  and  eighty,  and  the  prospect  is  for  a  prosperous  future. 

The  Sunday  afternoon  school,  which  was  the  beginning  of  this  in- 
terest, has  now  a  membership  of  688  ;  the  morning  school,  established 
more  recently,  is  also  increasing,  and  the  Church  is  thus  obtaining  a 
great  vantage  ground  for  future  growth. 

The  present  deacons  are  John  Brittain,  H.  S.  Kendall,  J.  A.  Evans 
and  James  Gessford,  jr.     Clerk,  Clarence  Hampson. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  193 

1880. 
ZION  COLORED  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  HILL  TOP. 

The  Zion  Baptist  Church  was  organized  at  Hill  Top,  Charles  county, 
in  1880,  by  Eev.  S.  J.  E.  Nelson.  The  Church  now  numbers  about 
one  hundred  members,  Avho  have  built  a  meeting  house,  at  a  cost  of 
$300,  which  seats  two  hundred  persons. 


1880. 

MT.  ZION  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Mt.  Ziox  Church  is  located  about  ten  miles  from  Washington  City, 
in  the  southern  part  of  ■Montgomery  county.  It  originated  in  mission 
work  under  the  preaching  of  Kev.  J.  S.  Teasdale,  and  was  organized  in 
December,  1880,  with  twelve  members.  A  revival  during  the  ensuing 
year  increased  the  membership  sixteen  by  letter  and  sixteen  by  baptism. 
A  Sunday  school  was  established,  with  fifty  children.  In  1882,  eight 
converts  were  added  to  the  Church,  and  a  meeting  house  was  erected  at 
a  cost  of  $1,500.  The  pastor,  Bro.  Teasdale,  resigned  charge  in  1883, 
to  enter  Crozer  Seminary. 

In  December,  1883,  Rev.  C.  W.  Teasdale  took  charge.  He  reports 
several  conversions,  and  the  present  membership  fifty-seven. 


1881. 

OAK  GROVE  COLORED  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  Oak  Grove  Colored  Baptist  Church  is  located  in  Nanjemoy 
district,  near  Port  Tobacco,  Charles  county.  It  was  organized  in  1881, 
by  Rev.  S.  J.  E.  Nelson.  They  have  a  frame  chapel,  costing  $600.  The 
members  number  one  hundred  and  thirty. 


1 94  Maryland  Baptist   History. 

iSSi. 
PERKINS'  SQUARE  BAPT.  CHURCH,  BALTIMORE. 

Ix  1880,  the  Wavmaii  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  in 
occupancy  of  the  church  building  on  the  corner  of  George  st.  and  Clin- 
ton Avenue.  In  September  of  that  year,  the  pastor  of  the  Church, 
Rev.  F.  R.  Williams,  and  about  twenty  of  its  members,  were  baptized 
by  Rev.  Harvey  Johnson,  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Union  Baptist 
Church.  This  disbanded  the  Wayman  Church,  and  the  house  was  oc- 
cupied as  a  Baptist  mission.  On  July  22,  1881,  twenty-seven  members 
of  the  Union  Church,  including  Bro.  Williams  and  his  former  flock, 
and  several  who  had  been  carrying  on  a  mission  on  Smith  street,  with- 
drew by  letter  and  organized  the  Perkins  Square  Baptist  Church. 

They  immediately  purchased  the  building  in  which  they  had  been 
meeting,  for  $4,300,  paying  $500  at  once,  and  called  Mr.  Williams  as 
pastor.  The  first  year  of  this  movement  was  marked  with  evidences  of 
its  wisdom.  There  were  one  hundred  and  sixty  additions  by  baptism, 
and  the  Church  raised  by  various  means  about  $1,300.  The  pastor 
and  members  of  the  Union  Church  generously  aided  them,  as  they  have 
frequently  done  since  in  all  their  struggles,  both  by  direct  contribution 
and  through  fairs. 

In  1882,  they  repaired  their  house  at  a  cost  of  $700.  In  1883,  they 
paid  $2,000  on  their  debt,  and  increased  their  roll  to  470  members.  In 
1884,  they  remodeled  their  house,  adding  improvements  and  beautifying 
it,  at  a  cost  of  $1,100.  At  the  present  writing,  the  pastor  reports  the 
debt  on  the  building  entirely  paid,  and  the  membership  600. 

The  growth  of  this  Church  has  been  remarkable.  We  trust  it  may 
grow  strong  for  good  in  proportion  to  its  numbers,  and  thus  become  a 
great  blessing  to  the  community.  The  deacons  are,  Jones  Watkins, 
Julius  Turner,  Thos.  Randall,  Samuel  Moody.     Clerk,  J.  H.  Hughes. 

A  large  Sunday  school  is  attached  to  this  Church.  A  branch  mission 
has  been  established  at  Waverlv. 


Maryland  B a t)tist  History.  195 

1881. 
FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH,  CAMBRIDGE. 

This  Church  is  the  outgrowth  of  efforts  made  by  several  of  our  mis- 
sionaries from  time  to  time.  In  1881,  Rev.  G.  Vincent  Board  visited 
Cambridge,  and  secured  the  cooperation  of  a  number  of  Baptists  living 
there,  in  the  endeavor  to  found  a  Church.  Through  their  liberality  a 
hall  was  rented,  and  preaching  established.  The  congregations  being 
small,  it  was  deemed  necessary  for  success  to  organize  a  Church  and 
build  an  attractive  house  of  worship  in  a  suitable  location.  Accord- 
ingly, Rev.  J.  B.  English,  our  State  evangelist,  who  was  aiding  Bro. 
Board  in  holding  special  meetings,  constituted  a  Church  in  that  town, 
with  fourteen  members,  on  Dec.  18,  1881.  The  members  promptly 
secured  an  eligible  lot  and  began  raising  contributions  toward  building. 

Bro.  Board  solicited  aid,  during  a  journey  northward,  but  his  health 
failing  rapidly,  he  was  obliged  to  retire  altogether  from  the  work. 

About  $1,500  was  obtained  during  1883,  chiefly  in  Baltimore,  with 
the  aid  of  Rev.  J.  B.  English  and  Dr.  Wilson  ;  and  thus  encouraged,  the 
Church  contracted  for  the  erection  of  a  commodious  frame  building 
to  cost  about  $2,500.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  by  Rev.  Dr.  F.  Wilson 
on  July  23,  1884. 

A  delegation  of  Baptists  was  present  from  Baltimore.  Addresses 
were  delivered  by  Rev.  .T.  B.  English,  Rev.  H.  M.  Wharton  and  Rev.  A- 
C.  Dixon.  Rev.  F.  R.  Underwood,  who  had  recently  assumed  charge 
of  the  Church,  under  the  appointment  of  our  Board,  made  a  statement 
of  the  work  on  hand,  and  assisted  in  laying  the  stone. 
The  sum  of  $768.92  was  then  contributed  by  the  audience  toward  the 
cost  of  the  church.  Brethren  E.  N.  Clark,  B.  B.  Hearn  and  F.  H. 
Townsend  were  appointed  the  building  committee. 

The  house,  which  will  hold  four  hundred  people,  is  an  ornament  to 
that  part  of  the  town.  It  was  publicly  dedicated  Nov.  2,  1884,  and  a 
series  of  meetings  was  held  in  it  immediately  afterward,  by  Rev.  H.  M. 
Wharton,  which  resulted  in  blessed  fruits.  Overflowing  congregations 
attended  and  twelve  persons  were  added  by  baptism.  The  Church  has 
about  thirty  members.  There  is  reason  to  hope,  with  such  a  starting, 
that  they  may  increase  and  become  influential  for  great  good.  As  is 
the  case  with  all  earnest  Churches,  they  have  a  Sunday  school. 

The  recent  death  of  Bro.  F.  H.  Townsend  is  felt  as  a  great  loss  to 
the  cause. 


196  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

1882. 
IMMANUEL  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 

For  some  years,  the  lieaits  and  minds  of  certain  members  of  the 
Baptist  Churches  of  Baltimore  had  been  turned  toward  the  rapidly- 
growing  northern  section  of  the  city,  and  the  necessity  for  a  Church  of 
our  denomination  in  that  neighborhood  became  more  urgent  as  the 
population  increased,  and  opportunities  to  work  for  the  Master  grew 
more  abundant.  On  November  7,  1880,  an  afternoon  Sunday  school 
was  organized,  with  Joshua  Levering  as  superintendent,  which  met  in 
Cowman's  Hall,  at  the  corner  of  Boundary  and  Maryland  Avenues. 
The  officers  and  teachers  were  mostly  members  of  Eutaw  Place  Church, 
with  a  number  of  earnest  and  devoted  workers  from  the  First,  Seventh 
and  High  St.  Churches.  The  scholars  were,  in  the  main,  children  of 
parents  worshiping  in  the  above-named  churches,  vvith  some  few  resi- 
dents of  the  neighborhood,  brought  in  by  the  ladies  of  the  school. 

As  the  ground  was  already  occupied  by  our  brethren  of  the  Episcopal, 
Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Churches,  it  was  scarcely  to  be  expected 
that  any  very  marked  success  would  crown  their  labors  as  a  mission 
school,  in  the  midst  of  a  population  far  above  the  average  in  intelli- 
gence, respectability  and  wealth.  It  became  more  and  more  evident, 
that  to  establish  themselves  firmly  in  that  neighborhood,  a  suitable 
house  of  worship  was  indispensable. 

A  few  individuals  had  already  secured  to  the  Baptist  denomination 
a  very  eligible  and  valuable  lot,  fronting  ninety  feet  on  Boundary  Av- 
enue by  one  hundred  and  fifty-three  feet  on  St.  Paul  street,  which  they 
stood  ready  to  turn  over  at  cost,  as  soon  as  the  funds  necessary  to  its 
purchase  and  the  erection  of  a  building  should  be  obtained.  Chiefly 
through  the  liberality  of  a  few  persons,  among  whom  may  be  mentioned 
particularly  George  0.  Manning,  Henry  Taylor,  Wm.  P.  Harvey  and  E. 
Levering  &  Co.,  a  sum  approximating  $27,000  was  subscribed.  A  num- 
ber of  liberal  offerings  were  made  by  other  members  of  different 
Churches,  and  some  by  friends  not  members,  a  list  of  whose  names  is 
preserved  in  the  records  of  Immanuel  Church. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  Cowman's  Hall,  March  19,  1882,  the  following 
building  committee  was  chosen :  Hiram  Woods,  chairman,  Joshua 
Levering,  treasurer,  George  0.  Manning,  Wm.  P.  Harvey  and  Andrew 
J.  Lowndes.     To  the  discretion  of  this  committee,  the  subscribers  and 


Maiy land  Baptist  History.  197 

friends  of  the  enterprise  intrusted  all  questions  iis  to  plans,  proposals, 
contracts,  material  and  cost.  The  committee  immediately  addressed 
itself  to  the  task  of  erecting  as  speedily  as  practicable,  a  building  which 
should  be  at  once  an  ornament  to  the  neighborhood,  a  credit  to  the 
Baptists  of  Baltimore,  and  appropriate  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God. 

The  committee  selected  a  plan  submitted  by  William  H.  Marriott, 
Architect,  which  provided,  for  the  present,  a  chapel  only,  to  be  erected 
on  the  rear  of  the  lot,  and  facing  St.  Paul  street,  to  be  built  of  Balti- 
more County  white  marble. 

Work  on  the  chapel  was  begun  at  once,  and  the  committee  and  Mr. 
Marriott,  who  personally  supervised  the  entire  construction  of  the 
building,  were  assiduous  and  unremitting  in  their  labors,  until  its 
completion  in  the  following  December.  The  erection  of  the  church  is 
a  problem  of  the  future.  The  chapel  is  a  handsome,  comfortable  and 
commodious  building,  seating  about  five  hundred  persons,  and  most 
admirably  adapted  to  the  present  requirements  of  the  congregation. 
Mr.  Marriott  gave  the  plans  and  his  services  as  a  contribution  to  the 
Church.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  June  20,  1882,  And  the  chapel 
was  occupied  on  Sunday,  December  10. 

In  the  meantime,  steps  had  been  taken,  looking  to  the  organization 
of  a  Church.  On  October  10,  1882,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  lecture 
room  of  the  Eutaw  Place  Baptist  Church,  then  under  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Rev.  F.  H.  Kerfoot,  D.  D.,  and  fifty-three  persons,  mostly 
members  of  that  body,  constituted  the  "Immanuel  Baptist  Church." 
They  had  previously  informally  called  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon,  of  Asheville, 
N.  C,  to  undertake  the  charge  of  the  proposed  work,  and  now  elected 
him  pastor.  The  leadings  of  Providence  appeared  unmistakable  to 
both  the  new  Church  and  Bro.  Dixon,  and  he  accepted  the  call.  The 
following  officers  were  then  elected  :  Deacons,  Wm.  Bayne,  George  0. 
Manning,  C.  Powell  Grady,  William  Martien.  Treasurer,  Andrew  J. 
Lowndes.  Clerk,  Wm.  H.  Marriott.  Trustees, Wm.  P.  Harvey,  G.  0. 
Manning,  John  Cassard,  Chas.  T.  Crane,  Fred.  A.  Levering,  Jefferson 
Schultz,  Wm.  Bayne,  jr. 

The  growth  of  Immanuel  Church,  while  not  rapid,  has  been  steady 
and  encouraging.  In  a  little  over  two  years,  the  membership  has  in- 
creased from  fifty-three  to  one  hundred  and  fifty-five.  A  more  united 
and  harmonious  body  would  be  difficult  to  find.  The  attendance  upon 
all  the  services  is  large  and  constantly  increasing.  The  seats  are  free, 
and  the  expenses  are  paid  by  regular  voluntary  contributions. 

The  growth  of  the  Sunday  school  has  been  most  gratifying  since  its 
removal  from  Cowman's  Hall  to  the  chapel.  From  forty-five  scholars, 
in  December,  1882,  it  has  increased  to  two  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  in 


198  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

April,  1885.  As  many  of  the  members  of  the  afternoon  Sunday  school 
did  not  unite  with  Immanuel  Church,  it  became  necessary  to  reorgan- 
ize as  a  new  body.  This  was  done,  December  7,  1885,  and  the  time  of 
meeting  changed  to  the  morning.  The  officers  are,  Henry  K.  Crane, 
superintendent;  W.  C.  Lowndes,  secretary;  L.  P.  Bayne,  jr.,  treasurer; 
Jefferson  Schultz,  librarian. 


1883. 
FULTON  AVENUE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

BALTIMORE. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  growth  of  mission  work,  however  humble, 
when  prosecuted  faithfully,  we  present  a  few  details  of  the  origin  of 
the  above  Church,  from  a  sketch  prepared  by  Bro.  Frank  S.  Biggs,  and 
published  in  the  "Baltimore  Baptist"  in  1883. 

In  1875,  the  Young  Men's  City  Mission  Society  of  Franklin  Square 
Baptist  Church,  sought  a  neglected  field  in  which  to  open  an  afternoon 
Sunday  school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thos.E.Cleason,  recent  converts  from 
the  Catholic  faith,  and  members  of  the  above  Church,  were  deeply  in- 
terested, and  offered  the  use  of  their  house,  an  old  frame  building,  for- 
merly an  inn,  on  Columbia  Avenue,  near  Carey  street.  At  that  period, 
there  were  few  houses  in  the  neighborhood,  but  Mrs.  Gieason  gathered 
in  some  thirty  children,  and  during  the  summer,  a  Sunday  school  was 
conducted  by  Bro.  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  president  of  the  Society. 
Weekly  prayer  meetings  were  also  held  in  the  same  place. 

On  November  7,  the  interest  had  increased,  and  was  formally  organ- 
ized by  the  selection  of  the  following  officers:  Superintendent,  Thos. 
E.  Gieason  ;  assistant,  Frank  S.  Biggs  :  treasurer,  Francis  A.  Mitchell ; 
secretary,  Walter  S.  Biggs.  The  following  served  as  teachers:  John 
Holyland,  Eichard  J.  Biggs,  Dr.  J.  G.  Wiltshire,  G.  M.  Boteler,  Manly 
Barnes,  Mrs.  Gieason,  Mrs.  Mildred  Bilson,  Mrs.  Dunkerly,  Misses  A. 
Arthur,  Katie  Bateman  and  Ella  and  Julia  Donnahaw.  The  school 
increased  in  numbers  and  usefulness,  and  within  six  months  the  con- 
version of  nine  persons  had  resulted  from  its  influences. 

In  the  summer  of  1876,  their  rooms  being  small,  Bro.  Mitchell  pre- 
sented a  tent  for  the  school  to  occupy,  on  an  adjoining  lot,  and  it  was 
floored  and  fitted  up  through  the  kindness  of  brethren  G.  G.  Tyler,  H. 
C.  Smyser  and  J.  Frank  Brown.    Bro.  Gieason  removed  to  Wasliington 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  199 

in  1876,  but  the  rooms  were  still  held.  Bro.  Alfred  H.  Miller  acted  as 
superintendent,  for  a  short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  Bro.  James  E. 
Tyler.  Bro.  Walter  Biggs  having  deceased,  Bro..Chas.  S.  Norris  became 
secretary. 

In  1877,  the  City  Mission  Society  dissolved,  and  a  new  one  was  or- 
ganized, under  the  title  of  Young  Men's  Missionary  Society  of  Franklin 
Square  Baptist  Church.  Brethren  John  Holyland  and  J.  H.  Tyler 
served  as  president,  for  three  years  each.  This  Society  now  carried 
forward  the  school  as  a  part  of  their  mission  work,  besides  visiting  and 
holding  many  cottage  prayer  meetings. 

But  the  time  liad  arrived  for  a  change,  and  the  school  was  removed 
to  a  dwelling  house  on  the  corner  of  Pratt  street  and  Addison  alley. 
Meantime,  another  school  had  been  started  in  BowenHall,  on  Frederick 
Avenue,  near  Mount  street,  by  brethren  George  Gr.  Tyler  and  J.  Frank 
Brown.  This  school  agreed  to  unite  with  the  Columbia  Avenue  Mis- 
sion in  the  new  location,  under  the  title  of  "West  End  Mission."  Offi- 
cers were  elected  Nov.  4,  1877,  Bro.  James  E.  Tyler,  one  of  the  most 
efficient  of  the  workers,  being  made  superintendent.  The  attendance 
increased  to  an  average  of  two  hundred,  although  the  house  was  very 
inconvenient,  and  in  summer  weather  extremely  warm.  But  greatly 
encouraged  by  the  good  being  accomplished  and  conversions  resulting 
from  their  patient  labors,  the  Society  decided  to  raise  means  and  build 
a  chapel,  to  meet  the  increasing  needs  of  the  school  and  serve  as  a  per- 
manent location  for  future  work.  In  a  few  months,  through  the  school 
and  by  envelopes,  lectures  and  entertainments,  $660  were  raised. 

In  1879,  the  Society  leased  a  lot  sixty  by  ninety  feet,  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Fulton  Avenue  and  Baltimore  street,  and  employed  Mr.  H. 
C.  Smyser  to  build  a  substantial  chapel  on  the  rear  of  the  ground,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $3,300,  which  sum  was  contributed  by  friends  of  the  cause 
and  paid  within  six  months.  The  house  holds  over  three  hundred 
persons  seated.  It  was  dedicated  and  occupied  July  11,  1880.  From 
that  date  the  school  increased,  until  it  required  the  building  of  an 
annex  for  the  infant  depart^ient.  It  has  now,  as  always,  a  large  corps 
of  faithful  teachers,  whose  earnest  instructions  have  led  to  the  conver- 
sion of  a  great  many  of  the  young  people.  Prayer  meetings  were  also 
held  in  the  chapel,  weekly.     This  continued  about  three  years. 

The  chapel  had  been  built  with  the  expectation  of  organizing  a  new 
Church  at  some  future  time,  but  no  movement  was  made  until  August, 
1883,  when  the  names  of  fifty  brethren  and  sisters  were  obtained  who 
agreed  to  unite  at  this  location.  A  preliminary  meeting  was  held 
on  Sunday  afternoon,  Sept.  9.  Bro.  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  was  called 
to  preside,  and  Bro.  W.  0.  Donnahaw  acted  as  secretary.  The  propo- 
sition was  discussed  favorably,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  report  at 


200  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

an  adjonrnecl  meeting.  On  Wednesday  evening,  October  10,  fifty-live 
members  of  Franklin  Square  Church,  dismissed  for  this  purpose,  and 
having  no  motive  but  a  more  faithful  service  of  their  Master,  united 
as  the  Fulton  Avenue  Baptist  Church.  A  manual  was  adopted  and 
the  following  officers  elected:  Deacons,  J.  F.  Weishampel,  jr.,  John 
Holyland,  Wm.  B,  Whiteside,  Wm.  J.  Chapman,  (treasurer,)  and  Jos. 
H.Tyler.  Clerk,  W.  0.  Donnahaw.  Trustees:  The  above-named  dea- 
cons, Frank  S.  Biggs  and  F.  A.  Mitchell. 

Recognition  services  were  held  on  Sunday,  October  21.  Rev.  Dr.  J. 
W.  M.  Williams,  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon,  Rev.  H.  M.  Wharton,  Rev.  G.  W. 
McCuUough,  Rev.  J  H.  Brittain,  and  Rev.  Dr.  F.  Wilson,  participated. 
In  the  same  month  the  Church  united  with  ihe  Maryland  Union  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  Board  pledged  its  cooperation  in  support. of  a  pastor. 

For  five  months,  the  Church  held  regular  services  and  special  meet- 
ings, and  entered  into  systematic  active  operation,  without  a  pastor,  se- 
curing the  aid  of  different  ministers  to  preach  on  the  Sabbath.  It 
assumed  management  of  the  mission  field,  and  organized  an  additional 
morning  session  of  the  Sunday  school,  which  was  placed  in  charge  of 
Bro.  W.  B.Whiteside;  Bro.  -James  E.  Tyler  being  induced  to  remain  as 
superintendent  of  the  afternoon  school  by  unanimous  desire.  During 
this  period  twenty  persons  were  received  into  fellowship  by  letter  and 
experience. 

After  much  earnest  prayer  for  divine  guidance,  the  Church  called 
Rev.  A.  C.  Barron,  of  Berryville,  Va.,  who  entered  upon  the  pastorate 
April  23,  1884.  The  union  has  been  most  happy.  From  that  time  to 
the  present,  the  Church  has  enjoyed  the  blessing  of  faithful  preaching 
and  pastoral  labor,  harmonious  activity  among  the  members  and  the 
presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Besides  twenty  additions  by  experience 
and  letter,  fifty-four  converts  have  been  baptized.  The  present  num- 
ber of  members  is  one  hundred  and  forty-nine. 

During  the  first  year,  the  Chapel  was  remodeled,  the  walls  frescoed, 
a  baptistery  made,  and  an  annex  built  on  the  side  lot,  at  a  total  cost 
of  $1,000.  The  Franklin  Square  Church  has  greatly  encouraged  this 
enterprise,  not  only  by  Christian  kindness,  but  by  the  contribution  of 
several  hundred  dollars.  An  effort  is  now  making  to  purchase  the 
ground,  for  which  the  Church  is  under  a  yearly  rent  of  $240.  Within 
a  short  time  $1,000  have  been  raised  in  cash  and  pledges  among  the 
members.  The  future  is  hopeful,  and  the  work  already  done  there 
commends  the  location  to  the  liberality  of  the  denomination  at  large. 

Bro.  Donnahaw  having  resigned,  Bro.  J.  L.  Hutchens  was  elected 
clerk,  Feb.  4,  1885. 


Mainland  Babtist  History.  201 


HAGERSTOWN  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

Many  years  ago,  the  attention  of  the  Board  was  called,  at  different 
times,  to  the  desirability  of  attempting  a  mission  in  Hagerstown,  but 
no  movement  was  made.  Of  late,  since  the  opening  of  the  Western 
Maryland  Railroad  through  that  place,  and  the  rapid  increase  in  its 
business  and  population,  the  necessity  for  action  became  more  apparent, 
especially  if  we  would  carry  out  the  policy  of  making  the  large  towns 
centres  of  evangelical  effort.  Hagerstown  has  a  population  of  about  ten 
thousand,  and  is  destined  to  become  a  considerable  city.  In  1881,  it 
was  understood  that  a  number  of  Baptists  were  living  in  and  near  the 
town,  and  at  the  request  of  the  Board,  one  of  the  Baltimore  pastors 
visited  them  to  ascertain  the  probabilitv  of  their  cooperation  in  the  or- 
ganization of  a  Church.  We  learn  from  the  Keport  of  the  Secretary, 
that  his  advice  was  favorable,  and  that  in  November  of  the  above  year, 
a  committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  F.  H.  Kerfoot,  W.  S.  Penick  and  H. 
M.  Wharton,  was  appointed  to  examine  the  field,  hold  a  series  of  meet- 
ings for  preaching  and  evangelistic  effort,  and  if  practicable,  organize 
a  Church.  They  fulfilled  the  service  faithfully,  and,  in  succession, 
held  meetings  in  a  public  hall  for  five  weeks,  during  February  and 
March,  1882,  at  the  end  of  which  time  a  Baptist  Church  was  constituted 
with  twenty-three  members,  mostly  ladies.  The  hall  in  which  the  new 
body  met,  being  condemned  as  unsafe,  they  rented  a  more  suitable  one. 
Rev.  J.  B.  English,  State  Missionary,  preached  for  a  short  time,  and 
effected  the  organization  of  a  Sunday  school.  The  Committee  arranged 
with  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Lodge  and  other  ministers,  to  visit  Hagerstown 
regularly  and  supply  the  Church  with  preaching. 

The  pruning  hand  of  discipline  reduced  theChurch  somewhat  in  the 
year  following,  but  left  it  in  a  better  condition.  On  April  1,  1884, 
Rev.  L.  R.  Steele  of  Va.,  took  charge  as  resident  missionary  pastor. 
He  labored  earnestly  in  visiting  and  preaching,  and  both  the  Church 
and  Sunday  school  grew  in  interest  and  numbers.  Rev.  H.  M.  Whar- 
ton assisted  the  pastor  in  special  meetings  during  September,  which  re- 
sulted in  nine  baptisms.  In  November,  with  thirty-five  members, 
the  Church  was  admitted  into  the  Association. 

In  April  and  May,  1885,  Rev.  H.  L.  Quarles  and  Bro.  S.  R.  Wright 
kided  the  pastor  in  a  series  of  meetings.  Five  persons  were  added  to 
the  Church,  three  of  them  heads  of  families.  An  eligible  lot  has  been 
secured,  and  it  is  hoped  that  before  long  a  house  of  worship  may  be 
erected. 


202  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

1884. 
RIVERSIDE  BAPTIST  CHURCH,    BALTIMORE. 

A  NUMBER  of  active  brethren  and  sisters  of  the  Lee  St.  Church  began 
a  mission  Sunday  school  in  a  private  dwelling  on  the  corner  of  Hano- 
ver and  M'Cann  streets,  during  1882.  Finding  encouragement,  they 
proposed  the  building  of  a  suitable  chapel  and  the  establishment  of  a 
permanent  mission  for  religious  services.  The  Lee  St.  Church  cheer- 
fully undertook  the  project  and  contributed  over  a  thousand  dollars 
for  the  erection  of  a  frame  chapel,  on  Kandall  street,  opposite  William 
street,  holding  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  A  school  was 
established,  which  has  been  very  useful  and  has  now  an  average  attend- 
ance of  the  above  number. 

Eev.  W.  S.  0.  Thomas,  then  assistant  pastor  of  Lee  St.  Church,  was 
appointed  by  the  Board  to  preach  there,  for  several  months  in  1883-4. 
Eev.  J.  G.  Kedslie  succeeded  as  missionary,  for  about  two  months. 

In  April,  1881,  Bro.  W.  J.  Nicoll  took  charge  of  the  field,  the  pros- 
pect of  which  became  so  hopeful  as  to  encourage  those  working  there 
to  organize  a  new  Church.  On  October  18,  1884,  thirty-three  persons 
from  Lee  St.  Church,  (including  Rev.  H.  M.  Wharton,  who  had  pre- 
viously entered  evangelistic  work,)  and  Bro.  Nicoll,  from  Eutaw  Place 
Church,  presented  letters,  and  were  constituted  and  recognized  as  the 
Riverside  Baptist  Church.  Bro.  Nicoll  was  shortly  ordained  pastor, 
the  Board  aiding  in  his  support.  The  chapel  has  been  improved  with 
a  baptistery  and  in  other  respects.  The  congregations  are  large,  and 
the  members  of  the  Church  have  increased  to  ninety-one.  The  follow- 
ing deacons  were  elected  :  G.  H.  Ball,  Charles  H.  Driver,  Chas.  H.  Red- 
dish. Thos.  McGee;  clerk,  Elijah  B.  Smith.  Superintendents  of  the 
Sunday  school,  C.  H.  Driver,  J.  J.  Parker. 


T -~.£<5*«&.*=5r'=5i.^- 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  203 


1885. 

PATTERSON  AVENUE  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
BALTIMORE. 

In"  1880,  Rev.  W.  C.  Lawson,  pastor  of  the  Macedonia  Church,  or- 
ganized a  Sunday  school  mission  station  on  a  vacant  lot  near  Patterson 
avenue  and  Whatcoat  street.  A  few  months  later,  he  secured  a  frame 
building  on  the  same  street,  put  it  in  repair,  and  settled  the  mission 
there  in  charge  of  deacon  Leander  Jones.  The  interest  flourished,  and 
several  persons  were  converted  and  added  to  the  Macedonia  Church. 

When  the  Fuller  Memorial  Churcii  vacated  their  chapel,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Patterson  avenue  and  Calhoun  street,  to  occupy  their  new  house 
two  squares  distant,  Mr.  Eugene  Levering,  president  of  the  Church 
Extension  Society  suggested  to  Rev.  W.  M.  Alexander,  State  Missionary, 
the  propriety  of  securing  that  chapel  for  the  colored  people. 

Bro.  Alexander  having  canvassed  the  field,  and  believing  this  to  be  a 
fine  opporiunity  to  plant  a  Church,  laid  tiie  suggestion  before  the  col- 
ored pastors  of  the  city  and  the  Committee  (of  the  Board)  on  Colored 
Churches.  After  securing  their  ap})rov;il,  he  succeeded  in  arranging 
with  the  Whatcoat  St.  mission  to  agree  to  purchase  the  chapel  for  the 
sum  of  $2,500  on  easy  terms,  being  little  more  than  half  its  cost.  The 
Church  Extension  Society  ratified  this  arrangement,  and  the  mission 
removed  to  the  chapel  on  the  first  Sunday  in  December,  1884. 

Among  those  present,  and  who  took  part  in  the  exercises,  were  breth- 
ren F.  W.  King,  Chas.  A.  Keyser,  Christopher  West,  E.  Levering,  Geo. 
G.  Tyler,  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Wliarton. 

By  request  of  the  mission  and  instruction  of  the  Board,  Rev.  W.  M. 
Alexander  took  charge  of  the  mission,  and  held  a  series  of  meetings 
which  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  fifteen  persons,  and  in  gathering  a 
number  of  Baptists  who  had  come  from  Virginia,  and  had  not  yet  con- 
nected themselves  with  a  city  Church.  Tliis  led  to  the  necessity  of 
organizing  a  new  Church,  and  nine  members  of  the  Macedonia  Church 
drew  their  letters  for  that  purpose.  These  met  on  Thursday  evening, 
Jan.  28,  1885.  Bro.  F.  W.  King  was  invited  to  act  as  chairm  in,  and 
Rev.  W  M.  Alexander  secretary.  The  Patterson  Ave.  Baptist  Church 
was  then  constituted,  adopting  the  Word  of  God  as  its  rule  of  faith  and 
practice,  and  Pendleton's  Manual  for  government.  A  council  of  sister 
Churches  met  on  February  5,  with  Rev.  A.  J.  Row  hind  as  moderator, 
and  Rev.  J.  H.  Brittam  as  secretary,  which  approved  the  new  society. 
Recognition  services  were  held  on  February  15,  participated  in  by  Rev. 
Harvey  Johnson,  Rev.  J.  H.  Brittain  and  Rev.  Dr.  Rowhuul. 


204  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

Since  then  theUhurch  has  i)icreased  to  forty  members.  The  Sunday 
school  has  as  yet  only  about  the  same  number.  Besides  the  current 
expenses,  about  |1,000  has  been  raised  in  contribution  from  friends  to- 
ward paying  for  the  chapel.     Bro.  Alexander  is  in  charge  as  pastor. 


MEMORANDA. 


The  following  Churches  were  formerly  connected  with  the  Maryland 
Baptist  Union,  but  in  1877,  the  necessity  of  more  efficient  work  iu 
Washington,  led  to  their  withdrawal  and  the  organization  of  the  "Col- 
umbia Association :"  Second,  E  Street,  Calvary,  Fifth  and  North 
Baptist  Churches  of  Washington  and  the  Georgetown  Church. 


The  following  Churches  were  formerly  in  connection  with  our  Asso- 
ciation, but  have  mostly  become  extinct,  some  of  them  very  shortly  after 
their  organization.  The  date  of  their  admission  is  prefixed;  their 
names  were  dropped  from  time  to  time,  through  failure  to  report. 

1841,  Madison  St.,  (Mt.  Zion.)  1842,  Elkridge.  1843,  Fifth  Bal- 
timore. 1846,  Sixth  Baltimore.  1848,  Hanover.  1848,  Wetipquin. 
1848,  Bethel.  1848,  Timber  Ridge.  1854,  Frederick.  1857,  Annap- 
olis. 1859,  Mt.  Savage.  1866,  Mt.  Vernon.  1867,  Muirkirk.  1870, 
Providence.     1871,  Barton.     1873,  Gethsemane.     1875,  Westminster. 


The  following  Churches  having  been  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
sketches,  it  is  interesting  to  know  a  few  facts  concerning  their  career: 

The  Third  Baptist  Church  was  constituted  in  1818,  and  met  in  the 
house  vacated  by  the  First  Church,  on  the  corner  of  Front  and  Fayette 
streets.  It  never  was  a  strong  body.  Revs.  James  Osbourn  and  John 
P.  Peckworth  were  successive  pastors.  Mr.  Osbourn  published  a  work 
on  Predestination.  There  is  a  print  in  the  Historical  Society  rooms, 
representmg  a  baptism  by  Mr.  Osbourn  in  Jones'  Falls.  The  Church 
gradually  disappeared,  about  1830. 

The  Ebenezer  Baptist  Church  comprised  a  number  of  disaffected 
members  who  left  the  First  Church,  in  1821,  under  the  leadership  of 
Rev.  E.  J.  Rels,  a  former  pastor  of  that  body.  They  built  the  "Calvert 
street  meeting  house,"  where  they  worshiped  for  a  few  years.  The 
"Baltimore  Association"  met  there  in  1835.  Not  being  able  to  pay  in 
full  for  the  building,  they  removed  to  the  "Bazar,"  on  Harrison  street, 
and  the  meeting  house  was  bought  by  Mr.  Wm.  Crane.  The  Ebenezer 
Church  adopted  anti-missionary  sentiments,  and  shortly  after  died  out. 
It  never  had  over  a  hundred  members. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  205 

Y\\idMt.  Zion,  afterwards  the  Madison  St.  Chai-ch,  was  organized  by 
brethren  Alexander  Butcher,  Win.  Cook,  Samuel  Scribner,  Sanvl  Sands 
and  James  Bannister,  wlio  came  by  letter  from  the  above-named  Eben- 
ezer  Church,  and  E.  L.  Ironmonger,  from  the  First  Church,  Richmond, 
Va.  They  were  publicly  recognized  by  a  council,  Feb.  8,  1830,  in  the 
old  Masonic  Hall,  Revs.  John  Healy,  Edward  Choate  and  Wm.  Burkett 
oflSciating.  The  Church  subsequently  worshiped  in  the  Athen^um, 
and  in  Hargrove  chapel.  In  1843,  they  erected  a  neat  meeting  house 
on  Madison  street,  corner  of  Plover  alley,  which  they  occupied  for  sev- 
eral years.  Their  successive  pastors  were  Revs.  D.  Davis,  Fred.  Clark, 
W.  Mathews,  C.  R.  Hendrickson,  Thos.  Burkett,  Robert  Compton  and 
0.  W.  Briggs.  In  1847,  after  a  hard  struggle  to  pay  for  their  building, 
the  members  were  compelled  to  yield  it  up,  to  disembarrass  themselves 
of  their  heavy  debt.     The  Mt.  Zion  Church  then  disbanded. 

The  Fifth  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1843,  with  some  nine 
persons  who  had  been  carrying  on  a  mission  school  on  Hollins  street, 
near  Oregon.  Rev.  J.  A.  McKean  became  pastor,  and  reported  eighteen 
members  in  1844;  when  he  left,  to  take  charge  of  the  Sixth  Church. 
In  1845,  Rev.  E.  S.  Dulin  served  for  a  short  tipie.  The  brethren  en- 
gaged to  purchase  the  chapel  in  which  they  met,  for  $1,300,  but  finding 
themselves  unable  to  raise  more  than  half  that  amount,  the  effort  was 
abandoned  and  the  Church  ceased  to  exist  in  1846. 

The  Sixth  Baptist  Church  was  constituted  in  1844,  of  those  members 
of  the  Calvert  St.  Church  who  did  not  remove  to  the  High  St.  Church, 
and  several  others  who  came  out  of  the  Fifth  Church.  They  numbered 
about  fifty  persons.  Rev.  J.  A.  McKean  became  pastor,  and  in  1846, 
reported  ninety-three  members.  The  newly  organized  Seventh  Church 
now  purchased  the  meeting  house,*  and  the  Sixth  Church  removed  to  a 
hall,  where  the  membership  shortly  disbanded  and  sought  a  resting 
place  in  the  First,  High  St.,  and  Seventh  Churches. 


*As  an  item  of  interest,  we  append  the  subscriptions  made  for  this  purchase, 
from  the  original  paper:  A.  R.  Levering  |350,  Mary  V.  Levering  $50,  Hannah 
Levering  $200,  Hannah  M.  Levering  $50,  Misses  Hope  $20,  Jolin  W.  Ball  $150, 
E.  Gibson  $60,  J.  S.  Lamar  $10,  A.  W.  Poulson  $150,  J.  Lewis,  jr.  $50,  John  G. 
Rous  $350,  F.  A.  Levering  $100,  Eugene  Levering  $125,  J.  W.  Harvey  $50,  E. 
Hubball  $100,  W.  W.  Lawrason  $200,  A.  D.  Kelly,  jr.,  $550,  W.  H.  Hale  $50,  D. 
Chase  $500,  A.  A.  Chapman  $550,  J.  Hahn  $100,  L.  P.  Bayne  $300,  S.  Scribner 
$500,  C.  D.  SlingluflF  $200,  O.F.Winchester  $100,  J.  W.  Sweet  $55,  G.  Irwin  $100, 
J.  W.  Mercer  $60,  Miss  Peters  $50,  Geo.  W.  Norris  $325,  W.  Crane  &  Son  $600. 
Total,  with  some  interest,  $6,000.  After  the  Seventh  Church  built  a  new  house, 
the  "Calvert  St.  meeting  house"  was  sold  to  another  denomination. 


2o6  Maryland  Baptist  History. 


BALTIMORE  BAPTIST  CHURCH  EXTENSION 

SOCIETY. 

A  BRIEF  sketch  of  this  society,  so  often  alluded  to  in  the  preceding 
History,  seems  desirable  here.  It  originated  in  the  Executive  Board  of 
the  Maryland  Union  Association,  Nov.  21,  1853.  Eev.  F.  Wilson  and 
Kev.  Dr.  Fuller  were  appointed  to  prepare  a  constitution,  which  was 
adopted  and  the  society  fully  organized,  Jan.  3, 1854.  Its.first  president 
was  Alexander  D.  Kelly ;  secretary,  Franklin  Wilson.  Its  first  work 
was  the  erection  of  the  Franklin  Square  meeting  house,  dedicated  in 
November,  1855.  Its  next  task  was  the  purchase  of  St.  Stephen's  P. 
E.  chapel  for  the  Lee  St.  Church,  in  1855.  Previous  to  this,  a  neat 
brick  chapel  had  been  erected  by  the  secretary,  nominally  under  the 
auspices  of  the  society,  on  Chase  street,  opposite  the  centre  of  Madison 
Square.  It  was  dedicated  July  9,  1851,  and  occupied  for  nearly  ten 
years  by  a  mission  and  Sunday  school  of  the  High  St.  Church.  In 
1864,  it  was  abandoned  and  sold  for  a  small  portion  of  its  original  cost. 
Some  good  was  accomplished,  and  the  conversion  of  one  young  man 
there,  now  Rev.  J.  W.  T.  Boothe,  D.  D.,  repaid  for  all  the  investment. 

The  society  at  first  took  the  entire  responsibility  of  erecting  the 
houses,  invited  Churches  to  occupy  them  after  they  were  built,  and  gave 
them  a  deed  for  the  property  when  they  became  self-sustaining.  This 
was  concluded  to  bean  injurious  policy,  and  it  was  afterwards  decided 
simply  to  aid  Churches  in  the  efforts  they  should  themselves  make  to 
build.  Nothing  more  was  done  until  1872,  when  the  society,  acting 
on  this  plan  in  a  very  limited  degree,  buili  the  Leadenhall  St.  house. 

In  1880,-  it  aided  the  First  Colored  Church  in  their  earnest  struggle 
to  obtain  a  building.  In  1884,  it  gave  the  Fuller  Memorial  Church 
similar  liberal  aid  in  their  new  edifice.  It  is  now  considering  other 
localities.     It  has  done  good  work,  and  much  more  is  expected  from  it. 


THE  CHURCH  BUILDING  LOAN  FUND. 

This  was  originated  in  the  Association  in  1869.  The  object  is  to 
secure  an  annual  contribution,  averaging  ten  cents  from  each  member 
of  our  Churches,  to  form  a  Fund,  to  be  loaned  to  Churches  needing 
aid,  to  be  repaid  on  very  easy  terms.  The  Fund  has  not  increased  as 
rapidly  as  desii'ed,  having  reached  only  to  $1,376.97;  but  it  has  accom- 
plished much  in  saving  several  houses  from  sacrifice  and  purchasing 
others  at  a  small  cost.  It  has  assisted,  more  or  less,  the  following 
Churches:  Bladensburg,  Frostburg,  Shiloh,  Good  Hope,  Forest  Hall, 
Ebenezer,  Bethany,  Cambridge  and  Riverside.  Most  of  the  original 
loans  have  been  repaid,  and  the  money  used  again  on  its  mission  of  help. 


Maryland  Baptist  Histojy.  207 


WIDOWS  AND  SUPERANNUATED  MINISTERS'  FUND. 
This  was  originated  as  a  "Widows'  Fund"  in  1840,  and  enlarged  to 
include  "Superannuated  Ministers,"  in  1848.  It  has  annually  distrib- 
uted a  handsome  sum  among  those  needing  assistance;  and  now  by 
gifts  and  legacies  amounts  to  $4,861.20.  In  1884,  this  charity  received 
a  noble  gift  of  $1,000  from  Bro.  Christopher  West. 


PLAN  FOR  PREVENTING  CHURCH   DEBTS. 

ADOPTED  BY  THE  MD.  UNION  ASSOCIATION,  1878. 

Resolved — That  we  recommend  the  Churches  and  brethren  of  this  Asso- 
ciation to  refuse  subscriptions  to  any  church-building  enterprise,  until  the 
following  conditions  have  been  fully  complied  with  : 

1.  That  it  shall  be  approved  by  the  Executive  Board,  or  by  a  council  com- 
posed of  delegates  of  not  less  than  five  other  Churches  of  this  Association. 

2.  That  the  Board  or  council  be  requested  to  withhold  approval,  unless: 
(^a.)  The  property  shall  first  be  deeded  by  a  good  and  sufficient  title  ta 

trustees  worthy  of  confidence,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  Baptist 
Churches,  who  shall  hold  it  in  trust  for  a  Baptist  Church. 

(b.)  The  elevation,  ground  plan  and  specifications  of  the  proposed  edifice 
shall  be  submitted  to  said  Board  or  council,  with  estimates  of  its  entire  cost, 
carefully  prepared  by  a  reliable  builder  or  builders. 

(c.)  A  responsible  Building  Committee  shall  have  been  appointed  with  a 
Chairman,  who  alone  shall  be  empowered  to  make  contracts  authorized  by 
the  Committee,  and  a  Treasurer,  who  afcrae  shall  be  authorized  to  receive 
money,  and  to  pay  bills  on  the  chairman's  order ;  and  who  shall  be  required 
to  enter  in  a  suitable  book  all  receipts,  disbursements  and  accounts. 

3.  No  subscriptions  shall  be  payable  until  at  least  three -fourths  of  the  esti- 
mated cost  shall  have  been  subscribed  ;  and  the  work  not  to  be  commenced^ 
or  a  contract  of  any  kind  be  made,  until  said  amount  shall  have  been  se- 
cured in  reliable  subscriptions. 


ANNUAL  RECORD  OF  THE   MARYLAND 


o  a> 


lb36 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 

1842 
1848 
1844 
1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 


1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1854 

1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1850 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 

1867 

1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 


With  what 
Chukch. 


First,  Baltimore. 
Gunpowder. 
Taney  town. 
Nanjeinoy. 
Pikesville. 
Second,  Wash'n. 

Hereford. 
Calvert  St ,  Bait. 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 
First,  Baltimore. 
High  St.,  Bait. 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 
Seventh.  Bait. 


First,  Baltimore. 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 
High  St.,  Bait. 
Seventh,  Bait. 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 
First,  Baltimore. 

Second,  Bait. 
E.St.,  Wash'n. 
Cumberland. 
Seventh,  Bait. 
Newtown, 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 
High  St.,  Bait. 
Franklin  Sq.  Bait 
First,  Baltimore. 
Lee  St.,  Bait. 
Seventh,  Bait. 
Second,  Bait. 

Calvary,  Wash'n. 
High  St.,  Bait. 
First,  Georgel'n. 
First,  Baltimore. 
E.  St.,  Wash'n. 


Moderator. 


James  Wilson. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 

G.  F.  Adams. 
S.  P.Hill. 
J.  Aldrich. 
J.  Aldrich. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 


G.  F.  Adams. 
Richard  Fuller. 
J.  S.  Bacon. 
J.  W.M.Williams, 
A.  D.  Kelly 
J.W.M.Williams. 

J.W.M.Williams 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
G.  W.  Samson. 
FTanklin  Wilson. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.W.M.Williams. 

Franklin  Wilson. 
H.  Woods. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 


1872  Franklin  Sq.Balt.i  A.  F.  Crane, 

1873  Eutaw  Pl.,Balt.     W.  T.  Brantly. 


1874   Fifth,  Wash'n. 


J.  Pollard,  Jr. 


1875    High  St.,  Bait,     j  J.  Pollard,  Jr. 


1876 
1877 
]878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
1884 


Seventh,  Bait. 
Second ,  Bait. 
Eutaw  iPlace,Balt 
Lee  Street,  Bait. 
First,  Bait. 
Franklin  Sq.Balt 
High  St.,  Bait. 
Second,  Bait. 
Eutaw  Place,  Bait 


J.Pollard,  Jr. 
O.  F.  Flippo. 
C.  C.  Bitting. 
C.  C.  Bitting. 
C.  C.  Bitting. 
E.CalvinWilliams 
F.  H.  Kerfoot. 
James  Pollard. 
James  Pollard. 


Preach EK  op 
Annual  Sermon 


S.  P.  Hill. 
C.C  Park. 
S.  P.  Hill. 
Wm.  Smith. 
C.  D.  Slingluff. 
A.  F.  Crane. 

A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
G.  W.  Samson. 
J.  A.  McKean. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 


A.  P.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 
A.  F.  Crane. 


A.  F. 
A  F. 
J.  H. 
A.  F. 
A.  F. 
A.  F. 
A.  F. 
A.  F. 
A,  F. 
A.  P. 
A.  F. 
A.  F. 


Crane. 

Crane. 

Phillips. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 

Crane. 


Letters. 
G.  F.  Adams. 
S.  P.  Hill. 
T.  Leaman. 
S.  P.  Hill. 
G.  F.  Adams. 

E.  Kingsford. 
R.  Compton. 
S.  P.  Hill. 
J.  S.  Bacon. 
G.  W.  Samson. 
Richard  Fuller. 
J.  S.  Bacon. 


G.  W.  Samson. 
Franklin  Wilson. 
R.  W.  Cushman. 
S.  C.  Boston. 
J.W.M.Williams. 
J.  H.  Philips. 

Richard  Fuller. 
J.  G.  Binuey. 
G.  W.  Samson. 
D.  Gumming. 
Richard  Fuller. 
Franklin  Wilson. 
J.  S.  Kennard. 
L  Cole. 
O.F.  Flippo. 
S.  R.  White. 
G.  P.  Nice. 
J.  Berg. 


A.  F.  Crane.  J.W.M.Williams. 

A.  F.  Crane.  J.  B.  Hawthorne. 

E.  Calvin  Williams.'  R.  B.  Kelsay. 
E.Calvin  Williams..  Jos. E.Chambliss. 
E.  Calvin  Williams  J.  W.  Parker. 

I 
E.  Calvin  Williams.,  D.  B.  Jutten. 
E.CalvinWilliams.  J.  Pollard,  Jr. 

E.  Caivin  Williams.  L.  D.  Pauling. 

E.  Calvin  Williams.  G.  W.  Sanderlin. 


Calvin  Williams. 
Calvin  Williams.! 
Calvin  Williams. 
Powell  Grady. 
Powell  Grady. 
Powell  Grady. 
Powell  Grady. 
Henry  Brittain. 
Henry  Brittain. 


C.  C.  Meador. 
J.  T.  Craig. 
C.  C.  Bitting. 
H.  J.  Handy. 
W.  T.  Brantly. 
F.  H.  Kerfoot. 
H.  M.  Wharton. 
W.  S.  Penick. 
A.  C.  Dixon. 


BAPTIST  UNION  ASSOCIATION,  i 

83(1 

—  I 

884. 

02 

'T3 

V.^ 

73 

1^ 

'6 
0 

Churches  Received. 

CO 

1 

o 

.2 

O 

CO     (U 

-a 

t3 

CO 

*3 

C3    <1J 

*3 

s 
J 

03 

S^ 

22  >> 

0 

X 

2 

03 

o§ 

i 

6 

CQ 

x-° 

P5 

Q-° 

W 

W 

Q 

E- 

4 

478 

Nanjemoy. 

6 

7 

58 

16 

2 

15 

2 

8 

535 

5 

7 

28 

11 

7 

12 

5 

550 

5 

7 

26 

20 

20 

6 

7 

565 

6 

7 

606 

55 

4 

19 

7 

18 

17 

1*83 

Good  Hope,  Madison  St.* 

8 

10 

285 

38 

1 

21 

7 

16 

1554 

Hereford,  First  Col.  Bait. 

Elkridge,*  E.  st.  Wasli'n.t 

9 

13 

183 

56 

8 

55 

27 

59 

22 

1690 

Forest,  Fifth  Baltimore.* 

11 

15 

256 

109 

6 

166 

32 

5 

2 

18.50 

10 

15 

86 

75 

3 

63 

31 

33 

29 

1888 

Seventh  Baltimore. 

13 

16 

77 

77 

4 

201 

.8 

44 

35 

1755 

Sixth  Bait.,*  Huntingdon. 

11 

17 

83 

98 

5 

73 

43 

96 

21 

1769 

13 

16 

66 

79 

3 

38 

27 

17 

22 

1802 

Second  Bait.,  Hanover.* 

30 

22 

184 

177 

4 

64 

41 

18 

33 

2021 

Cumberland,  Wetipquin.* 

Timber  Ridge,*  Bethel.* 

Second  Col'd  Baltimore.* 

Rockdale,*  Rockville. 

30 

24 

184 

90 

16 

70 

33 

153 

36 

2024 

Vienna,  Sec.  Col.  Wash'n.J 

17 

26 

95 

51 

2 

57 

26 

35 

35 

2034 

Eckhart,  Union,  Bait. 

19 

27 

301 

115 

13 

73 

29 

4 

29 

2342 

35 

28 

249 

63 

14 

.  55 

51 

33 

31 

2448 

23 

25 

162 

93 

10 

76 

30 

16 

43 

2527 

Pocomoke  City,  Frederick.* 

25 

28 

382 

85 

16 

103 

34 

37 

29 

2808 

Franklin  Square,  Bait. 

Lee  Street,  Baltimore. 

27 

30 

265 

135 

11 

109 

22 

7 

29 

3149 

Rehoboth,  Pitt's  Creek. 

32 

30 

342 

100 

19 

77 

37 

4 

42 

3291 

Annapolis,*  First  Wash'n.J 

28 

32 

559 

123 

7 

158 

41 

36 

45 

3784 

35 

32 

420 

140 

17 

154 

44 

34 

51 

4154 

Mt.  Savage,*  Salisbury. 

80 

34 

.  198 
265 

121 

16 

204 

75 

55 

41 

4143 

Germantown,  Poolesville. 

32 

37 

115 

29 

132 

67 

36 

31 

4274 

German,  Baltimore.* 

26 

34 

368 

167 

24 

121 

52 

127 

39 

4295 

30 

34 

66 

73 

4 

132 

100 

8 

43 

4015 

33 

34 

150 

163 

13 

63 

55 

14 

67 

4137 

36 

34 

207 

91 

11 

45 

39 

27 

73 

4315 

First  German,  Bait.,  Sater's 

23 

35 

315 

119 

20 

105 

37 

25 

57 

4545 

Calvary, Wash. tMt.  Vernon* 

37 

39 

405 

173 

44 

193 

91 

42 

85 

4842 

Georgetown.! 

Muirkirk.* 

35 

38 

482 

194 

49 

170 

141/ 

62 

62 

5070 

Mount  Hope. 

34 

39 

278 

174 

15 

155 

241 

42 

5124 

Bladensburg,  Rehob.  Col.* 

33 

40 

332 

167 

9 

156 

128 

5324 

Providence,  Baltimore  * 

33 

38 

664 

178 

40 

135 

24 

53 

45 

5544 

Eutaw  Place,  Barton.* 

33 

43 

343 

456 

30 

866 

100 

91 

5434 

Cumberland. 

Frostburg,  Forest  Hall. 

37 

45 

335 

213 

21 

123 

134 

94 

5526 

Leadenhall  St.,Gethsemane* 

37 

49 

746 

397 

33 

213 

61 

71 

6756 

North  Wash'n,t  Longwood. 

Annapolis.  *Mt.  Olivet.* 

51 

54 

1085 

364 

67 

334 

373 

78 

7773 

Macedonian,  Mount  Zion. 

Westminister,*  Fred'k.  Col. 

4G 

CO 

542 

276 

58 

328 

100 

112 

85 

8659 

Georgetown  Col. J  Eoenezer 

Cabin  Creek,ThirdCol.W'nJ 

50 

60 

1031 

411 

98 

80 

379 

97 

10271 

51 

60 

893 

308 

64 

194 

91 

40 

111 

10716 

38 

54 

531 

376 

102 

143 

252 

88 

9434 

Annap.  col,  Rockv.  c,  Salisb.  c. 

38 

54 

865 

347 

104 

179 

275 

124 

9847 

Fuller  Memorial,  Ualvary,Balt. 
Mt.  Zion,  Oak  Grove  coi. 
Perkins  Sqr.  ool.  Zion,  col. 

43 
43 

45 
45 

393 
690 

301 
230 

65 

72 

165 
193 

135 
295 

96 
186 

8306 

8755 

Cambridge,  Immanuel. 

42 

50 

792 

189 

210 

193 

268 

100 

93.^3 

Fulton  Avenue,  Baltimore. 

30 

52 

684 

252 

192 

268 

257 

485 

9807 

Riverside,  Hagerstown. 

50 

54 

605 

275 

315 

232 

182 

109 

10376 

*  Extinct,    t  Dismissed  in  18T7,  to  form  Columbia  Association.    ^Dismissed  1879. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  2 1 1 


A  PPEISTDIX. 


AN  EPOCH  IN  MARYLAND  BAPTIST  HISTORY. 

The  history  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  Maryland  is  marked  by 
several  epochs,  from  each  of  which  it  has  progressed  with  increased  im- 
portance. One  of  these  was  in  1836,  when  the  Maryland  Union  Asso- 
ciation came  out  from  among  the  old  unevangelical  Churches,  and 
declared  for  an  aggressive  missionary  system.  Another  was  in  1839, 
when  the  great  revival  took  place  under  the  vigorous  preaching  of  Elder 
Jacob  K'napp,  who  stirred  the  community  like  a  John  the  Baptist,  and 
was  the  means  of  bringing  into  the  Churches  many  of  their  most  sterl- 
ing members.  The  settlement  of  Richard  Fuller  with  the  Seventh 
Church  was  another  of  the  points,  the  building  of  the  Eutaw  Place 
Church  another.  The  "Centennial  Thank  Offering,"  the  erection  of 
many  church  edifices,  and  the  planning  of  a  thorough  and  compre- 
hensive policy  for  the  establishment  of  Baptist  principles  in  our  midst, 
are  all  the  outgrowth  of  the  foregoing  noted  periods. 

It  is  interesting  to  recall  the  events  of  the  past  upon  which  so  much 
depended,  but  which  are  now  dying  out  in  the  memory  of  our  people, 
with  the  lapse  of  a  generation.  Let  us  describe  an  episode  which  was 
in  its  results  one  of  the  most  important  in  our  annals. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1841,  the  General  Baptist  Convention  of  the 
United  States  met  in  the  "First  Baptist  Meeting  House,"  on  the  corner 
of  Sharp  and  Lombard  streets,  Baltimore.  It  was  a  national  assem- 
blage of  Baptists,  and  the  last  ever  held  in  this  city,  for  after  the  fol- 
lowing meeting  in  1844,  the  Southern  delegates  withdrew  and  organized 
the  present  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 

The  First  Church  was  then  under  charge  of  Rev.  Stephen  P.  Hill ; 
it  had  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  members,  and  occupied  the  most 
prominent  place  in  the  denomination  in  Baltimore.  As  already  stated* 
Elder  Knapp  had  spent  some  time  with  this  Church,  a  year  or  two 
previous,  and  aroused  it  to  unwonted  activity.  The  other  Churches 
however,  were  few  and  weak ;  and  all  told,  the  Baptists  were  in  a  great 
minority,  and  not  much  regarded. 

When  the  General  Convention  met  here,  delegates  came  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  and  the  gathering  attracted  considerable  attention. 
There  were  celebrated  names  among  them.  Spencer  H.  Cone,  the  hon- 
ored president  for  nine  years,  called  the  body  to  order,  but  declined  a 


2 1 2  JMaryland  Baptist  History 

reelection.  He  had  spent  some  of  bis  earlier  yeais  here,  struggling  for 
a  livelihood  as  an  actor,  a  school-teacher,  a  clerk,  and  a  printer,  and 
was  now  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  eloquent  pulpit  orators  in  this 
country,  and  drew  crowds  to  hear  him  wherever  he  preached.  The 
venerable  William  Bullein  Johnson,  of  South  Carolina,  afterward  pres- 
ident of  the  Southern  Convention  for  several  years,  was  elected  to  pre- 
side in  Cone's  place.  He  still  wore  the  knee-breeches  and  shoe-buckles 
of  his  earlier  days,  and  when  he  took  the  chair  he  impressed  all  the 
delegates  with  the  dignity  of  his  words  and  manner.  The  impassioned 
and  brilliant  Bartholomew  T.  Welch  was  there.  He  also  had  spent 
some  years  of  his  early  life  in  Baltimore.  Many  other  ministers,  then 
or  since  prominent,  from  Ihe  North  and  South,  occupied  seats  as  dele- 
gates, representing  large  constituencies.  Among  them,  (some  venerable 
with  age  and  others  yet  young,)  were  Daniel  Sharp,  R.  H.  Neale,  Wm. 
Hague,  Archibald  Maclay,  W.  W.  Everts,  Pharcellus  Church,  John  0. 
Choules,  George  B.  Ide,  J.  H.  Kennard,  A.  D.  Gillette,  0.  B.  Brown,  J. 
B.  Jeter,  J.  0.  B.  Dargan,  James  Furman,  Addison  Hall,  Jas.  B.  Taylor, 
(who  was  elected  one  of  the  secretaries,)  E.  L.  Magoon,  Geo.  F.  Adams, 
Cumberland  George,  A.  M.  Poindexter,  Thomas  Hume,  James  Fife, 
Robert  Ryland,  Daniel  Witt  and  Richard  Fuller. 

Among  the  delegates  representing  Baltimore,  were  William  Crane, 
and  his  son  Fuller,  then  quite  a  young  man,  Fred'k  A.  Levering,  Geo. 
W.  Norris,  (who  with  James  C.  Crane,  of  Richmond,  acted  as  teller,) 
and  Charles  D.  Slingluff.  Of  course,  among  the  representative  families 
who  entertained  the  guests,  were  many  other  familiar  names,  such  as 
the  AVilsons,  R.  P.  Brown,  Levering,  Patterson,  Butcher,  Baynard, 
Clark,  Poulson  and  Kelly. 

The  meeting  was  one  of  great  interest,  with  a  spice  of  that  discussion 
on  slavery,  which  afterward  culminated  in  the  rupture  of  1844;  but  on 
the  whole  it  was  fairly  harmonious,  and  comprehended  a  survey  and 
preparation  for  reaching  the  entire  home  and  foreign  mission  fields. 
The  old  "Round  Top"  church,  although  a  fine  and  imposing  edifice, 
was  not  the  best  in  its  acoustic  properties,  but  its  floor  and  galleries 
were  crowded  day  and  night  to  hear  the  many  able  addresses;  and  Bal- 
timore Baptists  began  to  realize  that  they  had  a  valiant  brotherhood 
elsewhere,  if  not  at  home.  But  that  which  rendered  the  meeting 
momentous  to  the  Maryland  Baptists,  is  yet  to  be  described. 

The  delegate  representing  the  "Savannah  River  Association"  had 
been  appointed  to  preach  before  the  Convention,  and  on  the  first  night 
of  the  sessions,  a  crowded  audience  was  gathered  to  hear  his  discourse. 
A  heathen  convert  who  was  present,  excited  an  increased  interest  in 
missions,  by  singing  a  plaintive  hymn  in  the  Karen  language,  and  when 
Richard  Fuller  arose  to  speak,  the  congregation  was  prepared  to  listen 


Maryland  B a t)tist  History.  213 

with  absorbed  attention.  He  was  then  only  thirty-six  years  old,  tall, 
elegant  in  appearance,  courteous  in  manner,  and  with  a  most  becoming 
dignity  and  decorum  befitting  the  pnlpit.  He  had  a  full  suit  of  dark 
hair,  curling  over  a  prominent  brow,  and  a  face  kindling  with  emotion 
as  he  became  animated.  A  portrait  on  the  wall  of  his  former  home  in 
Baltimore  gives  a  fine  representation  of  his  appearance  in  the  bloom  of 
his  manhood,  about  this  period.*  When  he  announced  his  text,  a 
solemn  quiet  pervaded  the  house,  that  remained  until  the  last  syllable 
of  his  sermon  was  reached  :  "And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up,  will  draAv  all 
men  unto  me." 

He  began  in  his  peculiar  manner,"!"  so  well  remembered  by  those  who 
heard  him  then  and  later:  "That  was  a  singular  account  given  by 
Eusebii>s  of  the  conversion  of  Uonstantine.  He  was  marching,  says 
the  historian,  at  the  head  of  his  army  from  France,  to  encounter  his 
rival  Maxentius,  in  a  conflict  upon  the  issue  of  which  his  empire  de- 
pended. Oppressed  with  anxiety,  he  prayed  that  some  god  would  aid 
him,  when  in  the  heavens  and  higher  than  the  sun,  a  luminous  cross 
appeared,  emblazoned  with  these  words,  'By  this  sign  thou  shalt  con- 
quer.' He  did  conquer,  and  ever  after  the  cross  was  displayed  as  the 
banner  of  the  Cfesars.  The  truth  of  this  narrative  I,  of  course,  shall 
not  now  examine.  It  is  certain,  fathers  and  brethren,  and  all-important 
for  us  to  recollect,  that  in  the  noble  enterprise  in  which  loe  are  engaged 
there  is  but  one  standard  which  can  beupreared  successfully — but  one 
banner  which  must  flame  star-like  above  our  ranks  and  lead  us  on  to 
victory — and  that  this  is  the  cross,  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'' 
Having  fixed  the  interest  of  his  auditors,  he  first  stated  his  arguments 
and  described  the  power  of  the  gospel,  and  then  appealed  to  his  hearers 
and  plead  with  them  to  believe  in  it,  with  an  earnestness,  a  force,  a 
pathos  and  a  grace  of  language,  that  moved  and  melted  every  heart. 
To  this  day  the  surviving  listeners  of  that  hour  thrill  with  the  emotion 
then  excited.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  sermon  as  preached.  It 
comprised  repeated  climaxes  of  argument  and  description  and  pathos. 
It  must  be  read,  and  read  aloud,  and  read  by  one  who  has  heard 
Fuller  himself,  and  read  with  a  believing  heart,  before  its  marvellous 
merit  is  fully  realized.  The  Convention  was  electrified.  As  soon  as 
Fuller  had  finished,  the  ministers  on  the  platform,  among  whom  were 
Sharp,  Johnson,  Cone  and  Welch,  as  by  one  impulse,  crowded  around 


*The  likeness  in  the  front  of  this  volume  is  an  accurate  copy  of  a  photograph 
of  Dr.  Fuller,  taken  when  he  was  about  sixty  years  of  age.  It  gives  a  more  cor- 
rect notion  of  his  expression  and  bearing  than  any  engraving  heretofore  printed. 

t  Dr.  Fuller's  tone  of  voice  is  here  referred  to,  not  the  illustration.  He  sel- 
dom used  illustrations  or  anecdotes,  so  distractingly  abundant  in  recent  popular 
discourses.  Many  of  his  sermons  have  no  reference  to  figures,  characters  or  in- 
cidents outside  of  the  text. 


2  1 4  Maryla7id  Baptist  History. 

him,  clasped  his  luiiids,  threw  their  arms  around  his  neck,  and  some 
of  them  wept. 

Next  day,  the  young  preacher  was  honored  by  a  vote  of  thanks  and 
a  request  for  the  publication  of  his  discourse,  which  from  that  day  to 
this  has  ranked  with  the  finest  efforts  of  pulpit  eloquence  in  any  lan- 
guage. 

The  effect  of  tliis  sermon  on  the  people  of  Baltimore  was  practical. 
In  1846-7,  after  the  organization  of  the  Seventh  Baptist  Church,  there 
was  a  period  of  uncertainty,  depression  and  discouragement,  arising  in 
part  from  the  antagonism  between  that  body  and  the  First  Church,  as 
referred  to  in  their  history,  and  partly  from  the  recent  wrecking  of  sev- 
eral similar  undertakings.  Although  there  were  many  influential  and 
sturdy  men  among  all  the  Churches,  yet  there  was  no  enthusiasm,  and 
the  cause  seemed  unpromising.  Tlie  position  of  the  denomination  then, 
in  our  city,  was  quite  different  from  its  reputable  standing  at  present. 
A  leader  was  wanted,  who  could  consolidate  our  sparse  numbers  and 
head  a  forward  movement.  A  distinguished  Virginia  minister  was 
commended  for  the  field,  but  it  offered  no  attractions  for  him  and  he 
declined  it.  In  this  emergency,  the  eyes  of  all  were  turned  to  a  more 
distant  State,  and  a  unanimous  call  was  extended  to  Richard  Fuller. 
The  elegant  penmanship  of  deacon  Aaron  E.  Levering  on  behalf  of  the 
Church,  as  well  as  the  characteristic  chirography  of  Fuller  in  his  re- 
sponse* are  still  preserved.  Seeing  in  the  opportunity  a  platform  for  a 
great  work,  he  at  once  suggested  a  plan  of  action  which  was  joyfully 


*We  cannot  withhold  this  interesting  letter.  It  was  addressed  to  D.  Chase, 
A.  W.  Poulson,  A.  R.  Levering,  A.  A.  Chapman,  L.  P.  Bayne,  J.  G.  Rous  and  A. 
D.Kelly,  jr.,  deacons  of  the  Seventh  Church,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living. 

Beaufort,  S.  C.Feb.  4,  184(5. 

Dear  Brethren  : — Here  is  a  strange  thing.  Over  and  over  have  I  received  calls 
from  large  and  tiourishing  Churches,  and  this  when  we  were  here  in  a  most 
cramped  and  uncomfortable  house;  yet  all  these  calls  have  occasioned  no  debate 
in  my  bosom.  Now,  we  have  just  finished  a  large  and  beautiful  chapel,  and  re- 
vivals have  filled  it.  and  everything  conspires  to  make  me  happy,  when  a  call 
from  you  fills  me  with  perplexity.  It  is  however  as  it  should  be — your  wants 
and  afflictions  move  me  when  your  prosperity  would  not.  I  am  now  (and  have 
been  for  a  month  or  more)  painfully  engrossed  in  trying  to  save  the  Second  Bap- 
tist Church  in  Charleston,  and  to  restore  harmony  there,  and  God  I  trust  has 
blessed  his  work.  Your  communication  found  me  thus  absorbed.  Yet  I  confess 
it  has  pressed  me  day  and  night  to  a  degree  strange  and  unaccountable,  unless 
God  be  meaning  sometliing.  The  sacrifice  of  breaking  up  here  would  be  to  me 
and  my  family  such  as  you  little  conceive.  This  however  would,  of  course,  not 
interfere.  To  be  Christians  is  Xofeel  •practieaUy  that  "living  or  dying,  we  are  the 
Lord's,"  and  all  sacrifices  were,  I  humbly  hope,  comprehended  in  the  act  by 
VFhich,  years  ago,  I  became  the  Lord's.  The  salary,  too,  to  which  you  allude,  (or 
T  would  not   here   mention    it,)  conld  easily   be  arranged.     Twelve  years  ago,  I 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  2 1 5 

adopted,  and  he  came  to  the  rescue.  A  suitable  house  was  built,  and 
the  Seventh  Church  at  one  step  took  a  high  position  in  the  denomina- 
tion. Fuller  became  the  foremost  preacher  in  the  city,  as  orator,  con- 
troversialist and  evangelist.  Hundreds  were  converted  and  baptized 
under  his  ministry.  The  Baptist  cause  rose  into  consideration  among 
the  people  at  large.  Its  leading  Bible  truths  became  more  universally 
regarded.  His  discussions  of  Baptist  principles  with  several  opposing 
ministers  (which  were  widely  published  in  book-form)  attracted  and 
convinced  perhaps  thousands  of  persons,  and  his  many  years  of  faithful 
pastorship  over  a  constantly  increasing  Church  made  a  wide  impression 

gave  up  a  profession  yielding  me  annually  about  $6,000,  and  have  never  received 
a  dollar  since  for  my  labors.  I  would  employ  most  of  it,  should  I  come,  wholly 
for  the  good  of  the  Church.  But  now,  there  seem  to  me  insuperable  difficulties 
to  which  you  do  not  refer. 

First,  you  say  nothing  of  a  house.  Surely  you  do  not  mean  me  to  come  and 
both  preacher  and  people  do  so  suicidal  a  thing  as  occupy  the  shell  in  Calvert  St. 
If  you  have  bought  it,  I  submit  to  you  that  you  made  a  mistake,  and  whoever  be- 
comes your  pastor,  unless  you  rectify  that  mistake,  I  feel  certain  that  your  posi- 
tion will  be  the  prophecy  and  anticipation  of  utter  defeat.  Let  me  know  then 
your  intention  as  to  this.  You  will  not  understand  me  as  at  all  promising  to  give 
a  favorable  answer,  in  any  case.  The  whole  thing  is  with  God,  and  I  only  wish 
some  worthier  man  would  go.  At  the  same  time,  my  spirit  is  greatly  stirred,  my 
conscience  crying,  "Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  V"  I  love  Baltimore — I 
love  you — I  confess,  too,  that  if  I  should  move,  it  would  be  just  into  a  latitude 
like  yours,  as  I  wish  to  look  at  Slavery  and  other  agitating  topics  with  a  calm  and 
impartial  judgment,  and  see  what  is  our  duty  to  our  poor  distracted  country. 

But  I  cannot  come  to  Baltimore  to  do  nothing.  I  am  a  practical  man,  caring 
nothing  about  what  men  talk,  and  regarding  works  as  the  only  criterion  of  char- 
acter. If  I  make  sacrifices,  I  must  have  some  to  be  with  me  intheni. — For  exam- 
ple :  Out  of  the  salary,  suppose  I  subscribe  |500  for  five  years,  i.  e.  $2,500,  what 
will  you  all  do?  Will  you  get  a  lot  and  right  away  begin  a  large  house?  Now 
is  the  time — your  character  and  usefulness  and  happiness  are  gone  if  you  idenlifj'' 
yourselves  with  the  pastof  auy  of  the  former  Churches  in  Baltimore.  Begin  afresh 
— and  at  once  take  a  high  stand.  Write  me  on  this  point.  I  only  wish  we  could 
meet,  as  writing  is  to  me  a  most  wretched  means  of  communication.  God  bless 
you.     My  love  to  all.    Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ,  R.  FULLER. 

P.  S. — I  repeat  that  you  will  regard  my  continuing  this  correspondence  at  all  as 
simply  the  result  of  my  conscientious  solicitude  about  duty.  I  am  informed  that 
you  have  already  called  B.  to  you,  and  M.,  and  both  declined.  Some  say  you  are 
the  noblest  body  of  Baptists  in  the  land — others  have  some  grains  of  scruple  as  to 
that,  and  doubt  if  any  pastor  could  please  you.  All  this  to  me  is  moonshine — 
if  you  are  Christians  and  feel  that  you  and  yours  are  Christ's,  we  could  easily  ad- 
just minor  things.  We  have  the  truth,  and  it  is  a  shame  that  the  advocates  of 
truth  should  be  depressed  and  downtrodden,  as  the  Baptists  have  been  in  your 
city.  What  has  become  of  Bro.  C.  M.  Keyser  ?  Where  is  Bro.  Wm.  Crane  ?  Do, 
I  implore  you  all,  make  noble  sacrifices,  resolve  upon  great  and  noble  things,  and 
you  will  yourselves  rejoice  now  in  the  applauses  of  God  and  leceive  a  crown  of 
no  common  splendor.  R.  F. 


2 1 6  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

for  good    on   the   entire  community.     Undoubtedly,  his  settlement  in 
Baltimore  was  an  epoch  in  our  religious  history. 

A  few  years  after,  in  1851,  Rev.  J.  W.  M.  Williams,  a  man  of  enthu- 
siastic yet  practical  and  uncommonly  energetic  temperament,  was  called 
from  Virginia,  to  fill  the  pulpit  of  the  First  Church,  where  he  has 
remained  preaching  with  notable  success,  like  Fuller,  for  the  third  of  a 
century.  From  about  that  same  period,  the  name  of  Franklin  Wilson 
becomes  known  as  that  of  the  laborious  engineer  of  the  Executive 
Board  of  our  Association,  toiling  year  after  year  for  the  welfare  of  Zion 
and  the  support  of  our  feeble  Churches.  Previous  to  these,  we  recall 
the  memory  of  George  F.  Adams,  another  earnest  faithful  planter  of 
Baptist  principles  wherever  the  soil  was  most  sterile.  To  them  should 
be  added  many  names  less  noted,  but  familiar  in  every  Church,  of  men 
and  women,  who  bore  the  brunt  of  pioneer  advances,  paid  the  never- 
ceasing  and  weighty  expenses  of  our  progress,  and  died  in  the  harness 
— some  of  them  leaving  descendants  to  continue  their  work  on  a  wider 
scale.  Those  who  live  now  can  rejoice  that  "the  little  one  has  become 
a  thousand,"  and  is  beginning  to  feel  strong  enough  for  grander  work 
— nothing  less  than  the  conquest  of  the  State  for  Baptist  principles ! 


WILLIAM  CRANE. 


The  memory  of  the  just  man  should  be  preserved  as  an  heir-loom  to 
his  descendants  and  an  example  to  the  world.  Some  names  in  this 
history  have  been  frequently  repeated.  It  could  not  be  avoided.  The 
men  whose  names  are  thus  honored  have  been  foremost  and  active  in 
all  the  best  labor  that  has  characterized  our  Association.  Among 
them  from  the  first,  to  the  end  of  his  life,  sturdy,  honest,  God-honoring 
William  Crane  deserves  especial  mention. 

The  different  works  in  which  he  was  engaged  are  noticed  briefly,  as 
they  occurred,  in  the  foregoing  pages.  A  memoir  of  his  life  is  pub- 
lished, which  gives  his  personal  history.  We  desire  in  this  place  to 
call  attention  to  a  plia^e  of  his  usefulness  which  is  not  so  generally 
familiar.  Among  the  large  crowds  who  throng  the  Colored  Baptist 
Churches  of  Baltimore,  there  are  few  who  know  that  they  are  indebted 
in  a  large  measure  to  Wm.  Crane,  for  the  privileges  they  enjoy. 

From  his  earliest  years,  he  was  a  devoted  friend  to  the  colored  race. 
Away  back  in  1813,  when  living  in  Richmond,  Va.,  he  gave  much  time 
and  labor  to  their  welfare,  and  at  one  period  carried  on  a  night  school, 
with  the  help  of  David  Roper,  in  which  he  endeavored  to  educate  some 
twenty  colored  boys,  among  whom  were  Lott  Gary,  John  Lewis  and 
Collin  and  Hilary  Teage,  all  of  whom  became  widely  known  in  this 
country  and  in  Liberia,  for  their  activity  in  the  missionary  field. 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  1 1 7 

Mr.  Crane  was  president  of  tlie  African  Missionary  Society,  and  se- 
cured the  appointment  of  Gary  and  Teage  as  missionaries  to  Africa. 
The^^rs^  Baptist  Gliurcli  of  Africa  was  organized  in  his  house,  and 
these  missionaries  carried  it  to  the  dark  continent — then  much  less 
known  and  far  more  hojieless  than  now.  He  frequently  forwarded 
books,  goods  and  money  to  Africa,  and  is  regarded  as  the  chief  means 
of  whatever  success  may  have  been  achieved  at  that  time  in  christian- 
izing the  natives. 

After  Mr.  Crane  removed  to  Baltimore  in  1835,  he  interested  himself 
in  the  welfare  of  the  colored  people  here.  He  aided,  with  others,  to 
obtain  the  freedom  of  Noah  Davis,  who  was  employed  as  a  missionary 
by  our  Board.  He  built  a  house  of  worship  for  a  congregation  which 
he  had  gathered,  and,  in  brief,  he  inspired  the  Maryland  Union  Asso- 
ciation with  that  steady  purpose  which  has  prompted  them  to  do  then- 
utmost  for  the  colored  people,  and  which  has  led  them  of  late  years  to 
the  expenditure  of  much  money  in  the  establishment  of  large  churches, 
and  their  general  encouragement  in  education  and  civilization,  until 
now  the  Colored  Baptists  of  this  city  stand  among  the  most  reputable 
in  the  country. 

Everything  must  have  a  beginning,  and  it  is  to  the  man  lolio  makes 
this  heginning  in  all  enterprises  for  improving  his  fellow-man,  that  due 
honor  should  be  paid,  William  Crane  made  those  early  eflbrts  for  the 
•colored  Baptists  in  the  days  of  slavery,  and  tlius  rendered  possible  their 
present  rapid  growth.  He  died  in  1866,  sincerely  mourned  by  the 
feeble  Churches  then  struggling  upward  through  his  care.  Now,  in 
the  day  of  prosperity,  with  nearly  four  thousand  members  and  several 
spacious  houses  of  worship,  they  should  look  back  Avith  gratitude  and 
lay  a  crown  of  thanks  upon  his  grave. 


REV.  GEORGE  F.  ADAMS,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Adams  has  been  referred  to  frequently  in  these  pages,  both  as 
a  missionary  and  pastor  of  several  Churches.  We  think  it  is  necessary 
to  add  at  this  place,  a  few  items  concerning  his  long  and  useful  life. 
AVe  say  useful  advisedly,  for  he  was  one  of  those  plain,  honest,  con- 
scientious workers  for  the  welfare  of  mankind  whom  Clod  honors  by 
making  useful  in  the  highest  sense.  His  labors  as  an  educator  and  his 
long  service  as  a  minister  of  Christ  have  made  an  abiding  mark  on 
the  character  of  all  who  knew  him.  He  left  a  memory  without  a  single 
•stain,  as  a  "faithful  servant  of  the  Lord." 

George  F.  Adams  was  born  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  in  1802.  Removed 
to  Ohio  at  at  early  age,  he  was  converted  and  baptized  in  1812.  At 
twenty,  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  entered  Columbian  College  in 


2i8  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

182-i,  to  prepare  himself  for  the  ministry.  In  1829,  he  was  principal 
of  the  College  school  and  pastor  of  the  incipient  body  which  formed 
the  E  Street  Church,  with  which  he  had  been  ordained  in  1827.  Thirty 
years  later,  the  Columbian  University  honoi'ed  its  former  principal 
with  the  title  that  heads  this  chapter.  From  1830  to  1835,  he  was 
principal  of  a  ladies'  academy  in  Falmouth,  Va.,  and  assistant  pastor 
with  Eev.  R.  P.  Semple  of  a  Church  in  Fredericksburg.  In  1836,  he 
came  to  Baltimore,  served  the  Board  and  various  Churches  as  herein 
recorded,  until  the  Civil  War,  when  he  went  back  to  Virginia;  but  soon 
returned  again,  and  from  1863  to  1865  labored  as  missionary  here.  In 
1865,  he  took  charge  of  a  female  school  in  Onancock,  from  which  he 
was  called  in  1867  to  the  Baptist  Church  at  Hampton,  where  he  built 
up  the  cause  for  nine  years.  In  1876,  failing  in  health,  he  returned  to 
Baltimore,  where  he  died,  April  16,  1877.  Every  suitable  respect  was 
paid  to  his  memory  by  the  Baptists  of  this  city,  and  his  remains  were 
placed  in  Baltimore  Cemetery,  beneath  a  marble  erect9d  by  them. 

He  was  twice  married  and  left  a  widow  and  several  children.  We 
are  indebted  to  one  of  his  sons.  Dr.  Charles  S.  Adan^s,  for  the  privilege 
of  copying  a  photograph  likeness  taken  in  1850,  when  his  father  was  in 
his  prime.  The  engraving  is  accurate  and  will  recall  his  familiar  fea- 
tures to  those  who  remember  him  at  that  period. 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


Besides  those  who  have  been  already  named  in  the  preceding  pages, 
there  are  others  who  deserve  some  special  notice.  We  take  the  liberty 
of  mentioning  several. 

Egbert  P.  Brown,  Nelson  Clark,  Daniel  Chase  and  Samuel 
Bevan  were  among  the  first  business  men  of  Baltimore,  and  illus- 
trated the  truth  that  diligence  in  business  and  the  possession  of  wealth 
and  high  social  position  are  by  no  means  inconsistent  with  true  piety. 

A.  D.  Kelly,  of  the  Seventh  Church  from  its  beginning,  was  also 
active  in  the  Board,  and  in  all  his  relations  "adorned  the  doctrine  of 
God  his  Saviour."  Frederick  A.  and  Eugene  Levering,  both  suc- 
cessive treasurers  of  the  Board  and  "pillars  of  the  Church,"  have  left 
honored  names.  The  latter  is  specially  memorable  for  his  bequest  of 
$33,500  to  religious  and  charitable  organizations.  Dr.  Judson  Gil- 
man,  long  a  Bible-class  teacher  and  deacon  in  the  Seventh  Church, 
died  in  1883. 

Charles  M.  Keyser  united  with  the  First  Church  in  1839,  and 
left  it  at  the  formation  of  the  Seventh,  and  was  on  the  building  com- 
mittee of  the  latter.  He  died  in  1874,  aged  seventy-five  years.  He  was 
one  of  GUI'  most  prominent  citizens,  having  been  a  member  of  the  city 


Maryland  Baptist  History.  219 

council,  the  State  Senate  and  House  of  Delegates,  the  Board  of  Fire 
Commissioners,  and  Public  School  Board  ;  and  director  of  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  Railroad,  and  of  several  banks  and  insurance  companies.  He 
was  a  director  of  the  House  of  Refuge  twenty-five  years  and  president 
fifteen  years.  In  his  extensive  business,  and  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  his  industry,  prudence  and  integrity  secured  for  him  the  confidence 
of  the  public,  while  his  genial  nature,  kindly  heart  and  Christian  prin- 
ciple made  him  eminently  useful  in  the  great  charity  to  which  so 
much  of  his  life  was  given. 

Alexander  W.  Poulson,  who  will  be  kindly  remembered  by 
thousands  as  the  upright  merchant,  the  calm,  dignified,  trusted  friend^ 
and  one  who  for  thirty  years  used  the  office  of  a  deacon  well,  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  in  1807.  He  came  to  Baltimore  in  his  youth,  started 
his  business  career  in  the  establishment  of  the  late  Chauncey  Brooks, 
and  in  a  few  years  begun  the  house  which  still  bears  his  name.  Mr. 
Poulson  was  converted  under  Mr.  Knapp's  preaching  in  1839,  and  was 
one  of  the  constituent  members  of  the  Seventh  Church  in  1846.  He 
was  remarkable  for  his  close  attention  to  duty,  his  adherence  to  system^ 
and  his  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  the  poor  members  of  the  Church. 
In  all  these  respects  and  in  sincere  piety,  he  was  an  example.  He  died 
in  May,  1876. 

Alexander  Butcher,  who  died  in  188-4,  at  the  age  of  nearly  eighty 
years,  was  another  of  the  kind  we  have  named,  to  whom  the  Churches 
owe  so  much  for  their  faithful,  unostentatious,  self-sacrificing  labor  in 
the  ranks  of  the  common  membership.  For  over  fifty  years,  he  was  a 
pillar  to  lean  on  in  the  Church.  No  movement  for  good  was  without 
his  aid,  and  in  the  Church  to  which  he  belonged,  whether  the  First 
or  Ebenezer,  or  Mount  Zion  or  the  Seventh,  he  was  the  same  indefati- 
gable bearer  of  bui-dens  until  the  infirmities  of  age  unfitted  him  for  the 
load.  At  every  social  entertainment,  when  the  Churches  required 
refreshments,  he  gave  liberally  of  his  goods  and  his  toil.  He  entertained 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  in  the  Seventh  Church  in  1868,  and 
from  that  and  numerous  other  collations,  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  ever  ■ 
made  one  cent  of  profit.  In  all  the  early,  unpopular  struggles  of  our 
denomination,  in  mission  and  Sunday  school  work,  and  especially  as  an 
encouraging  friend  of  the  young,  Alexander  Butcher  leaves  a  memory 
redolent  of  piety  and  love. 

A.  Fuller  Crane  was  from  his  youth  one  of  the  most  prominently 
active  members  of  our  denomination  here.  Secretary  of  our  Association 
for  twenty-five  years,  and  moderator  for  four  years,  superintendent  of 
the  Seventh  Church  Sunday  school  for  seventeen  years,  secretary  of 
the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  several  years,  director  of  the  House 
of  Refuge,  president  of  the  Maryland  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum,  an 
enterprising  merchant  and  citizen,  a  kind  friend,  and  a  sweet  singer  in 


2  20  Maryland  Baptist  History. 

the  Church  and  Sunday  school  for  forty  years — in  all  these  offices  Bro. 
Crane  tilled  his  part  with  enthusiasm  to  the  full  measure  of  his  powers, 
and  left  behind  many  pleasant  memories  and  grateful  hearts.  He  died 
in  188-1-,  after  an  illness  of  several  years,  regretted  by  all  the  Churc  hes 

Geo.  W.  NoREis  was  converted  in  1839,  and  devoted  man  yyears  to 
Sunday  school  and  other  benevolent  work.  He  was  a  man  of  strong 
individuality.  One  of  his  daughters  is  the  wife  and  efficient  colaborer 
of  Dr,  R.  H.  Graves,  our  missionary  in  China  ;  another  the  wife  of  Kev- 
J.  B.  Hartwell,  missionary,  now  in  California.    Bro.  Norris  died  in  1885. 

\Vm.  H.  RyA]sr,  who  died  in  1878,  is  well  remembered  as  the  ardent 
impulsive,  humorous  and  effective  advocate  of  temperance  and  other 
causes  that  he  championed  at  the  Association  and  the  Board,  of  which 
he  was  a  faithful  member.  He  made  many  pithy  and  original  speeches. 
He  was  an  ardent  friend  of  Sunday  schools. 

Lawrence  P.  Bayjste  came  from  Virginia  to  Baltimore.  He  aided 
in  organizing  the  Seventh  Church,  where  he  filled  the  office  of  deacon? 
and  subsequently  the  same  position  in  the  Franklin  Square  Church- 
He  was  at  one  time  chairman  of  the  Executive  Board.  He  had  a  tine- 
pt^rsonal  presence,  and  gifts  as  a  public  speaker.  He  removed  to  Wash- 
ington some  years  ago,  and  afterwards  to  New  York-,  where  he  died, 
eiirly  in  1885. 

Mrs.  Eliza  Baynard  died  March  23,  1883,  in  her  ninetieth  year. 
In  early  youth,  she  gave  her  lieart  to  Christ,  and  turning  away  from 
the  circles  of  wealth,  fashion  and  pleasure,  consecrated  her  life  and 
property  to  a  better  service.  She  became  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  and  afterwards  of  the  Seventh,  in  whicli  she  renuiined  until 
her  death.  Her  rare  abilities,  ex})ansive  benevolence  and  devotion  to 
the  poor,  made  her  death  a  great  loss  to  the  whole  community,  Wliile 
her  heart  and  hand  were  ever  open  to  the  claims  of  her  own  Church 
and  all  its  Christian  enterprises,  she  did  not  stop  here,  but  listened  to 
the  cry  of  the  needy  everywhere.  Especially  was  she  interested  in  the 
friendless  orphan.  In  1824,  she  became  secretary  of  the  "Baltimore 
Orphan  Asylum,"  and  after  nine  years'  service  was  chosen  president, 
an  office  which  she  filled  most  nobly  for  fifty  years,  giving  much  close 
personal  attention  to  the  children,  and  contributing  greatly  to  the  uj  - 
building  of  this  most  useful  charity  in  the  confidence  of  the  public. 
Thousands  of  children  have  been  sheltered  there  and  trained  to  lives  of 
virtue  atul  usefulness.  The  docrines  of  grace  were  sister  Baynard's 
delight  and  the  si)ring  of  her  cheerful  piety,  her  generous  benefactions, 
her  active  zeal.  For  her  "to  live  was  Christ;  to  die  was  gain."  Her 
last  days,  though  clouded  by  blindness,  were  full  of  peace  and  joy  in 
the  Holy  Ghost. 


Date  Due 

ii^mm- 

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